8092
Rolex
Ref. 16570
Explorer II
A fine and attractive stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with bracelet, center seconds, date, 24-hour indication, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$30,000 - 60,000€3,500 - 7,000$3,800 - 7,700
HK$69,850
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1998
- Reference No
- 16570
- Case No
- U’645’241
- Model Name
- Explorer II
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78790”, endlinks stamped “501B”, max length 200mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “U3”, “78790”
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Chow Sang Sang Jewellery Co. Ltd, Hong Kong dated 27th June 1998, hang tags, green leather holder, instruction manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
- In 1989, Rolex unveiled the Explorer II ref. 16570. Over a distinguished 22-year run, two variants were offered: one with a black dial, the other featuring a lustrous white ‘Polar’ dial, as seen on the present example.
- Among Rolex cognoscenti, ref. 16570 is regarded as one of the marque ’s most undervalued timepieces. Not only does it embody the technical virtuosity for which Rolex is renowned, but also a refined aesthetic that pays tribute to a spirit of adventure and exploration.
- The present example dates to circa 1998, as evidenced by the ‘U’ serial designation. Featuring luminous markers that have developed a beautifully patinated creamy hue over decades of age, the captivating dial exhibits a rare soft grey tint seldom observed on white dials, lending it the moniker ‘Polar’.
- During the evolution of the reference, various luminous materials were used, from tritium on earlier examples made in circa 1989 to 1997 indicated by the “SWISS-T<25” at 6 o’clock position (present example), to later examples bearing Luminova with “SWISS” only insignia from circa 1998-1999, and the final transition with Super-Luminova material indicated with “SWISS MADE”.
- Preserved in excellent condition, the present timepiece is accompanied by its full set of original accessories. With the launch of the new 42mm Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570 in 2021, this earlier 40mm reference represents an opportunity to acquire an emblematic exploration icon of the past.
- Among Rolex cognoscenti, ref. 16570 is regarded as one of the marque ’s most undervalued timepieces. Not only does it embody the technical virtuosity for which Rolex is renowned, but also a refined aesthetic that pays tribute to a spirit of adventure and exploration.
- The present example dates to circa 1998, as evidenced by the ‘U’ serial designation. Featuring luminous markers that have developed a beautifully patinated creamy hue over decades of age, the captivating dial exhibits a rare soft grey tint seldom observed on white dials, lending it the moniker ‘Polar’.
- During the evolution of the reference, various luminous materials were used, from tritium on earlier examples made in circa 1989 to 1997 indicated by the “SWISS-T<25” at 6 o’clock position (present example), to later examples bearing Luminova with “SWISS” only insignia from circa 1998-1999, and the final transition with Super-Luminova material indicated with “SWISS MADE”.
- Preserved in excellent condition, the present timepiece is accompanied by its full set of original accessories. With the launch of the new 42mm Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570 in 2021, this earlier 40mm reference represents an opportunity to acquire an emblematic exploration icon of the past.
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.
Browse Maker