980
Rolex
Ref. 16570
Explorer II
An early and attractive stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with center seconds, date, 24-hour indication, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$78,000 - 150,000€9,300 - 17,800$10,000 - 19,200
HK$100,800
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1990
- Reference No
- 16570
- Movement No
- 5’706’874
- Case No
- E699’579
- Model Name
- Explorer II
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78360”, endlinks stamped “501B”, max length 205mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “P2”, “78360”
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by undated Rolex guarantee stamped Laings Limited Scotland, 1990-1991 calendar card, hang tag, green leather holder, instruction manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Part of the continuation of the Everest conquest, the Explorer II ref. 16570 was launched in 1989 and had an impressive run of nearly 22 years of production before welcoming its successor 216570. Two variants were available, a black dial and a white polar dial like the present example.
Acknowledged amongst the collectors to be one of the most undervalued sleeper by Rolex, the ref. 16570 not only boast an altitude of technical prowess but fine aesthetics with a salute to the passion for adventures.
The present example of the Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570 with an E serial from circa 1990 is amongst the early batch of production right after the discontinuation of the ref. 16550 in 1989. Featuring beautifully aged luminous plots that have developed an attractive creamy hue, the dial interestingly carries a soft grey hue on the suppose white dial that is rarely seen, known as the Polar. Well-preserved, the ref. 16570 is powered by the caliber 3185 corresponding to early production of the reference. Boasting a strong case and bezel, the present timepiece is accompanied with its full set accessories. With the most recent launch of the new 42mm diameter Explorer II ref. 226570 in year 2021, the present 16570 boasting a classic proportion is a fantastic opportunity for collectors to acquire a discontinued exploration icon.
Acknowledged amongst the collectors to be one of the most undervalued sleeper by Rolex, the ref. 16570 not only boast an altitude of technical prowess but fine aesthetics with a salute to the passion for adventures.
The present example of the Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570 with an E serial from circa 1990 is amongst the early batch of production right after the discontinuation of the ref. 16550 in 1989. Featuring beautifully aged luminous plots that have developed an attractive creamy hue, the dial interestingly carries a soft grey hue on the suppose white dial that is rarely seen, known as the Polar. Well-preserved, the ref. 16570 is powered by the caliber 3185 corresponding to early production of the reference. Boasting a strong case and bezel, the present timepiece is accompanied with its full set accessories. With the most recent launch of the new 42mm diameter Explorer II ref. 226570 in year 2021, the present 16570 boasting a classic proportion is a fantastic opportunity for collectors to acquire a discontinued exploration icon.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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