Rolex Explorer 2

A classic neo-vintage Rolex sports watch from one of the most desirable eras of Explorer II production.

This 1997 Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 features the understated black dial configuration, giving the watch a distinctly purposeful look compared with its better-known Polar counterpart. At 40mm, the 16570 retains the slimmer case proportions and classic Oyster architecture that have made this generation increasingly attractive to collectors.

Introduced as the successor to the Ref. 16550, the 16570 continued the Explorer II’s signature formula with a fixed 24-hour steel bezel, independently readable 24-hour hand, sapphire crystal, and automatic Rolex Caliber 3185. The additional hand allows the wearer to track a second time zone or distinguish between day and night, a direct connection to the Explorer II’s original tool-watch purpose.

A 1997 example sits firmly within the desirable tritium-era production period. When retaining its original dial and hands, these watches can develop the warm, aged luminous tone that gives neo-vintage Rolex so much of its character today. The black dial in particular provides a strong contrast against the white luminous plots and red GMT hand, creating one of the most recognizable configurations in the Explorer family.

The Ref. 16570 occupies an increasingly important position in Rolex collecting. It combines the proportions and character of vintage Rolex with the durability and usability of a modern sports watch, before the larger cases, ceramic bezels, and more substantial bracelets of later generations.

For collectors looking for a Rolex that can still be worn regularly without sacrificing old-school character, the 1997 black-dial Explorer II Ref. 16570 is difficult to beat.

A proper neo-vintage Rolex tool watch: understated, functional, and increasingly collectible.