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1995 Rolex Explorer II 16570 – Stainless Steel Polar White Dial

Details

The Rational GMT Choice

The 16570 Explorer II is the understated alternative to the GMT-Master. While its sibling focuses on the flash of a rotating bezel, the Explorer II stays grounded in utility with a fixed 24-hour steel bezel and a 40mm case. This 1995 example features the Polar white dial, which has become one of the most recognizable and sought-after colorways in the Rolex professional line.

Purpose Built For Two Time Zones

This watch was built around a movement known for being nearly bulletproof, designed to handle the vibrations and temperature changes of actual exploration. The independent hour hand allows for a true dual time zone setup, making it an ideal companion for travel without the bulk of a larger modern sports watch. 

Honest Wear And A Strong Movement

The watch is in good condition overall. The case and bezel are in good condition, and the black enamel in the 24-hour markings remains sharp and legible. The Oyster bracelet shows signs of regular use and age consistent with its thirty-year history, but it remains fully functional and accommodates a larger wrist size. Mechanically, the watch is running strong after passing our test bench. This is an honest example of a watch that was meant to be worn.

The Definitive Daily Driver

This works for the person who needs the utility of a GMT but prefers a more rugged and brushed aesthetic. The Polar dial makes it feel fresh and modern despite being a mid-nineties production. It's a reliable, high-utility Rolex that makes sense as a primary watch for someone who travels or spends their time in active environments. 

Key Specs

Reference: 16570

Model: Explorer II "Polar"

Year: 1995 (W-Serial)

Movement: Automatic (Cal. 3185 GMT)

Case Size: 40mm

Bezel: Fixed 24-Hour Stainless Steel

Bracelet: Oyster (Fits 7.0–7.75in)

Dial: White "Polar" with Tritium Lume

Metal: Stainless Steel

SKU: 578

History

In May 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest wearing Rolex watches. The Explorer — launched that same year — was Rolex's acknowledgment that the Oyster case could go anywhere. Clean dial, no complications, just luminous Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 on a matte black background. Function as design.

The Explorer II followed in 1971 for a different kind of explorer: speleologists and scientists working in environments where day and night lose meaning. A fixed 24-hour graduated bezel and an additional orange GMT hand allowed cave explorers and polar researchers to track whether it was AM or PM when daylight was unavailable.

References 14270 and 114270 (Explorer I, 36mm) and 16570 (Explorer II, 40mm) in our inventory cover the 1990s through mid-2000s — the most mature and reliable expressions of both watches before they were resized in subsequent generations.