Rolex Explorer II homages

Explorer II designs with the fixed 24-hour bezel, white and black dials.

42 mm across10 homages

See the 2
Rolex Explorer II 226570
The watch shown is the 226570. Homages follow other references too, so compare shape and scale.

How to recognise one

Seven marks make the look. The count says how many of the 10 homages keep each one.

  • Fixed 24-hour bezel

    8 of 10 keep it, 1 not compared yet. A fixed steel bezel engraved with 24-hour numerals in black, with a triangle between each pair.

  • Triangle at 12

    1 of 10 keep it, 8 not compared yet. A large lumed triangle with a black outline sits at 12.

  • Round outlined plots

    1 of 10 keep it, 6 not compared yet. Round lumed plots with black outlines mark most hours, with bars at 6 and 9.

  • Mercedes hour hand

    1 of 10 keep it, 8 not compared yet. The hour hand carries a ring with three spokes near its tip.

  • Orange GMT arrow

    9 of 10 keep it. A thin orange hand ends in an open arrowhead and points at the bezel numerals.

  • Date at 3

    8 of 10 keep it. A white date window at 3 sits under a magnifier lens.

Each close-up covers about 12.5 mm of watch, using the listed case width and estimated photo edges.

The 2 that follow the 226570

Most marks kept first.

Drawn to scale by listed case width.

Original specifications

Sizes and specifications apply to the version named below. Other versions can differ.

226570Shown in the photograph

Assigned reference 226570.

Specifications for 226570
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width42 mmRolex Explorer II watch: Oystersteel - m226570-0002

One primary source.

Value is stated for reference 226570.

Lug to lug50.1 mmRolex Explorer II 226570 | The 1916 Company StudiosStrap Guide: Rolex Explorer II | Delugs

Sources agree.

Independent exact-reference dealer/owner/strap-fitment sources agree.

Thickness12.5 mmRolex Explorer II 226570 | The 1916 Company StudiosStrap Guide: Rolex Explorer II | Delugs

Sources agree.

Independent exact-reference dealer/owner/strap-fitment sources agree.

Lug width22 mmStrap Guide: Rolex Explorer II | DelugsComprehensive Guide to Rolex Sizes | Everest Bands

Sources agree.

Independent exact-reference dealer/owner/strap-fitment sources agree.

Movement calibre3285Rolex Explorer II watch: Oystersteel - m226570-0002

One primary source.

Value is stated for reference 226570.

Water resistance100 mRolex Explorer II watch: Oystersteel - m226570-0002

One primary source.

Value is stated for reference 226570.

Power reserve70 hoursRolex Explorer II watch: Oystersteel - m226570-0002

One primary source.

Value is stated for reference 226570.

Sources and unconfirmed details
1655

Assignment names exact reference 1655.

Specifications for 1655
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width40 mmRolex Explorer II 1655 - Exquisite Timepieces

One cited source.

One read source reports 40 mm for ref. 1655; treat as a single-source figure.

Lug to lug47 mmRolex Explorer II 1655 - Exquisite Timepieces

One cited source.

One read source reports 47 mm for ref. 1655; treat as a single-source figure.

Thickness13 mm1983 Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655 – HODINKEE Shop

One cited source.

Hodinkee exact 1983 ref. 1655 case 7655370 listing gives 13 mm thickness. This is a specific specimen listing.

Lug width20 mm1983 Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655 – HODINKEE Shop

One cited source.

Hodinkee exact 1983 ref. 1655 case 7655370 listing gives 20 mm lug width. This is a specific specimen listing.

Sources and unconfirmed details
16570

Assigned catalogue reference 16570.

Specifications for 16570
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width40 mmRolex Explorer II 16570 review | FratelloRolex Explorer II 16570 specifications | WatchSpecs

Sources agree.

Fratello and WatchSpecs agree on this reference-specific measurement.

Lug to lug47 mmNo Longer Made: Rolex Explorer II 16570 | aBlogtoWatch

One cited source.

Selected from the exact-reference hands-on review.

Sources differ

Directly read sources report different values. The exact values remain separate and no averaging was applied.

Thickness12.2 mmRolex Explorer II 16570 review | FratelloRolex Explorer II 16570 specifications | WatchSpecs

Sources agree.

Fratello and WatchSpecs agree on this reference-specific measurement.

Lug width20 mmFitting Guide | Strapbandits

One cited source.

Strapbandits lists the exact Explorer II reference at 20 mm lug size.

Movement calibre3185Rolex Explorer II 16570 specifications | WatchSpecs

One cited source.

WatchSpecs identifies calibre 3185 for its listed reference; production may include later variants.

Case materialNot confirmed

Not established by the two directly read pages.

CrystalNot confirmed

Not established by the two directly read pages.

Water resistance100 mRolex Explorer II 16570 specifications | WatchSpecs

One cited source.

WatchSpecs identifies 100 m for reference 16570.

Power reserveNot confirmed

Not established by the two directly read pages.

WeightNot confirmed

Not established by the two directly read pages.

Sources and unconfirmed details
  • Not established by the two directly read pages.
  • Not established by the two directly read pages.
  • Not established by the two directly read pages.
  • Not established by the two directly read pages.
  • Not established by the two directly read pages.
216570

Exact reference 216570 supplied by assignment.

Specifications for 216570
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width42 mmRolex Explorer II 216570 Watch Review | aBlogtoWatch

One cited source.

Only one body-read publisher supports this value.

Lug to lug49 mmRolex Explorer II 216570 Watch Review | aBlogtoWatch

One cited source.

Two reports say about 49 mm. Only one body-read publisher supports this value.

Thickness12.5 mmRolex Explorer II 216570 Watch Review | aBlogtoWatch

One cited source.

Only one body-read publisher supports this value.

Lug width21 mmRolex Explorer II 216570 Watch Review | aBlogtoWatch

One cited source.

Only one body-read publisher supports this value.

Sources and unconfirmed details
  • Bernard Watch exact listing search result not fetched as a page body.

More about the Explorer II

Lay a homage over the Explorer IIAny of the 10, laid over the original at one scale

Lay a homage over the Explorer II

Slide to fade from one watch to the other and compare the case shapes. The figures below describe the version shown in the photograph.

Rolex Explorer II42Rolex Explorer II
Pagani Design PD-168242Pagani Design PD-1682

Photos use listed case widths and automatic case-edge readings. The readings have not been manually audited. Photo proportions stay unchanged. Perspective and lug length can differ.

42 mm, the same width as the Explorer II
Rolex Explorer II photo: 226570. Pagani Design PD-1682 photo: PD-1682 black dial Oyster.

226570, specifications and sources

Explorer II and the selected homage, measure by measure
MeasureExplorer IIPagani Design PD-1682
Case width42 mm42 mm
Lug to lug50.1 mmNot listed yet
Thickness12.5 mm13 mm
Lug width22 mm20 mm
Movement3285Not listed yet
Power reserve70 hoursNot listed yet
Water100 m100 m
PriceNot tracked here£106, seen 27 Sep

Side view

12.5 42 wide 50.1 lug to lug
Explorer II
13 42 wide
Pagani Design PD-1682

Copies

  • Fixed 24-hour bezel
  • Orange GMT arrow
  • Date at 3
  • Three-link bracelet

Gives it away

  • Bezel numerals, marker proportions and dial printing drawn its own way
Open the Pagani Design PD-1682
The references, in order4 references, with the homages that follow each

Which Explorer II?

6 of the 10 homages follow one named reference, and the rest copy the look in general. Select a reference to see its homages.

Explorer II4 references

  1. 165540 mm3 homages
  2. 1657040 mm, 31852 homages
  3. 21657042 mm1 homage
  4. 226570Shown above42 mm, 32852 homages
Compared and not kept4 watches left off the bench, with the reason

These watches were compared with the Rolex Explorer II and left off the bench.