Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 (White dial)

Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 White dial

The watch that grows on you fast — and never lets go.

The Explorer II has always been the overlooked one. Less flashy than the Daytona, less obvious than the Submariner — and precisely because of that, more interesting to those who actually wear watches. The 16570 ran from 1989 to 2011 and represents the reference at its most utilitarian: a 40mm steel case, fixed 24-hour bezel, the distinctive red GMT hand, and Calibre 3185 underneath. Sized to sit perfectly on the wrist. Built to be worn every day without a second thought.

This example dates to 1995 and presents in very good condition — the usual wear and tear. Remarkably, the original green Rolex caseback sticker is still intact after 30 years. It comes without box or papers.

I've been wearing a black dial 16570 daily for the past few weeks, and it quickly became a personal favourite. I enjoyed it so much that I started looking for a white dial example almost immediately. The proportions are exactly right. The crisp white dial gives the watch a completely different character — slightly more vintage in feel, a bit more playful, yet still unmistakably tool-watch Rolex. It disappears on the wrist in the best possible way — until someone asks what you're wearing.

Why we selected it
The Explorer II rarely gets the attention it deserves — and that's part of the appeal. This is a watch for the connoisseur: discreet enough to go unnoticed in most rooms, but immediately recognised by anyone who knows. Your colleagues won't react. A fellow watch person will. There's a quiet confidence in wearing something that doesn't need to announce itself. That's exactly what this is.