Rolex Explorer II 216570 "Polar"

Explorer II 216570 specifications

Most of these figures still match the current model, which is why the 216570 remains a credible alternative. The calibre and 48-hour reserve are the lines that date it.

Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.

Since we could not confirm a final Malaysian list price, the ringgit retail figure is converted from the last US price. Thickness is not published by Rolex.

History and reference evolution

The 216570 launched in 2011, forty years after the original Explorer II ref. 1655. It replaced the long-running 16570 and changed the model more than any update since the 1980s.

From 40 mm to 42 mm

First, the case grew from 40 mm to 42 mm. The dial gained larger markers to match, filled with Chromalight, which glows blue rather than green. Most importantly for fans, Rolex restored the oversized orange 24-hour arrow hand. That hand had defined the 1655, and its return gave the 216570 a clear link to the original.

Calibre 3187

Inside, calibre 3187 made its debut. Its blue Parachrom balance spring and Paraflex shock protection mean it shrugs off magnetism and knocks well. Its GMT function lets you jump the local hour hand in one-hour steps while the 24-hour hand keeps home time. However, the power reserve is only 48 hours.

Why the history matters for value

The 216570 sits between two eras. It has the modern size and look, but an older movement. When the 226570 arrived in 2021, it kept that look almost unchanged. As a result, the 216570 trades as the cheaper way into the same design. Its market has been flat to slightly up, which suggests buyers see it as good value rather than a collectable.

216570 pre-owned prices compared

Before discontinuation, the Explorer II 216570 listed in the US at US$8,350. The bands below cover both dials, so read them with the Polar premium in mind.

Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 3 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$8,350. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.

What moves the price of this reference

Dial colour leads. For example, a white Polar dial usually commands US$500 to US$1,500 more than a black one. Early lume variance matters too. Some 2011-era examples show cream or yellowish lume in daylight, and buyers react to it in different ways.

Next, check the engraved bezel. Heavy polishing softens its 24-hour numerals and is hard to reverse. Finally, look at completeness. A full set with box and card is worth paying for, because many 216570s have now changed hands two or three times.

Where to check prices

With no retail price to anchor against, use sold marketplace listings and dealer stock. Filter by dial colour first. Then check WatchCharts' 216570 history to see the trend line. Dealer asks will usually sit above sold prices, so use them as a ceiling. Service history also matters. A watch serviced recently by Rolex is worth more than one approaching its first full overhaul.

In Malaysia, the 216570 is a common sight in pre-owned listings. Ringgit prices often look cheaper than US dealer asks, but check that the bracelet and papers are complete before comparing.

When a price is too good to be true

A complete 216570 under about US$5,500, or roughly RM22,400, is a warning sign. That sits below the polished band. For a Polar dial, raise the threshold to around US$6,500.

Genuine vs replica: how to check a 216570

The 216570 has been copied for over a decade, so replicas of it are mature. Even so, a few details still trip up fakes, especially around the date and dial.

Cyclops magnification

A genuine lens enlarges the date roughly two and a half times, and it sits square over the aperture. Many fakes manage only a weaker lens. Look straight down at the date: it should fill the lens almost edge to edge.

Dial details

On the Polar dial, every index has a black outline. These outlines should be thin and even, with no smudging at the corners. The orange 24-hour hand should be large, with a sharp arrow tip, as on the 1655. In the dark, the lume glows blue. However, remember that early examples may look cream in daylight, so judge glow colour rather than daylight tint.

Rehaut, crown and case

The rehaut is engraved ROLEX ROLEX, with the serial at 6 o'clock. The crown is a Twinlock, protected by crown guards. Under a loupe, a tiny coronet should be visible, lasered into the sapphire near the 6 o'clock marker. Finally, the caseback is plain, screw-down steel.

What only a watchmaker can confirm

Only an opened case confirms calibre 3187, with its Parachrom hairspring and engraved bridges. A watchmaker can also check that the GMT and date work correctly, and whether parts have been replaced. Notably, a service-replaced dial or hands can affect value, even when genuine. Our real vs fake Rolex guide and the service and value guide explain what to ask for.

Who the 216570 suits, and the alternatives

The Explorer II 216570 suits buyers who want the Polar look and a second time zone without paying for the newest model. On the wrist, it needs about 17.5 cm (6.9 in) or more to look balanced. It also suits buyers who are comfortable budgeting for a service.

If you want the newer calibre and a warranty, the Explorer II 226570 is the direct successor. For a smaller, simpler watch, the Explorer 214270 is its three-hand contemporary. A buyer weighing a GMT-Master II should read Submariner vs GMT-Master II as well. The used Rolex price guide compares all of these.

• 

  Explorer II 226570

  The 42 mm Explorer II with calibre 3285, orange 24-hour hand and the white Polar or black dial.

  Retail US$10,600 · Pre-owned US$11,000 – US$13,000

• 

  Explorer 39 214270

  The only 39 mm Explorer (2010–2021). Mk1 and Mk2 dials, calibre 3132, a strong pre-owned buy. Discontinued

  Retail US$6,550 · Pre-owned US$7,000 – US$8,500

216570 FAQ