Board Certified Ninja

This review is adapted from a review I posted in the Rolex Forums in 2010. I have updated it to reflect my thoughts on 10 years of ownership.

First Impressions and Aesthetics
I had originally been eyeballing a Submariner, but then I came across The Rolex Forum and user pictures of the Explorer II. The official Rolex website did not do this watch justice, and really, it was treated like an afterthought to their collection. I fell in love with the polar white dial and the simple contrast provided by the red GMT hand. I also really liked the understated stainless steel bezel and how it looked much sleeker than the Sub C.

When I first saw it at the store, I'll have to admit it looked a bit plain sitting next to its more prominent and well-known Rolex sports brethren, but when I put it on my wrist any lingering doubts were replaced by the shit-eating grin that crept onto my mug. I particularly like the easy readability of the white dial. I was actually a fan of the engraved rehaut back in 2010, but 2020 me probably prefers the more pristine rehaut without the “Rolex” engraved around it. I think the engraved serial number along the six o'clock edge of the rehaut is a nice (though wholly unnecessary) touch. The brushed stainless steel is beautiful in its own right. I particularly like how the brushed bezel is a different "coarseness" than the bracelet, lending it a slightly different texture and a “sunburst” appearance. I consider the sunburst dial to be the Exp II’s most prominent, and attractive, feature. The contrast with the polished sides of the bracelet and case sides is subtle but lends a touch of elegance to the Exp II's otherwise workman-like appearance.

Bracelet and fit
One of the more common complaints about the 16570 is the bracelet heft. It definitely does not seem as substantial as it should be given the watch's price-point and sporty nature. However, I trust that this bracelet has worked for Rolex in the past and they felt little need to change it (as of 2010) as it has served its purpose well.

My left wrist measures 6.5" in diameter and I have the bracelet in a 7+5 link configuration (seven links on the 12 o'clock side, five links on the 6 o'clock side). I have the micro-adjustment on the clasp set at the third innermost setting and this has given me a great fit with very little movement of the watch up and down the wrist while not being too tight. Theoretically, it seems I could probably go with a 6+5 configuration with a "looser" microadjustment setting, but I think that I'd have problems with the watch constantly migrating towards the 12 o'clock side of my wrist due to the way the bracelet clasp is designed. In any case, my current configuration is just right and very comfortable.

Over the years, I have fit various NATO and canvas straps on the watch which make the watch more comfortable and adds some variety and color, keeping the watch fresh. My current strap is a Marine Nationale (MN) style strap from Erika’s Originals which will likely garner a future post in a separate review. The original steel bracelet now probably spends time on the watch less than 10% of the time.

Polar 16570 on an Erika’s Original MN strap

Every day use
This is a COSC certified watch and I used to obsess about its accuracy, resetting the watch to the USNO Master Clock every evening. Back then, I observed a consistent +5/-3 seconds per day. As mentioned above, using canvas or nylon straps greatly improves overall comfort and the steel bracelet now spends most of its time in my watch drawer. This is the ultimate tool watch and even after acquiring several other watches over the years, the Explorer II occupies my wrist on most days. With its GMT complication (which I will argue is one of the most useful watch complications), this watch is the watch I wear when traveling. Approaching ten years of use, it is probably time for a servicing.

Final thoughts
A watch is a watch, but it is the owner's experiences that gives the material things in life an immaterial character. It holds a lot of sentimental value for me as it was a 10th wedding anniversary gift from my wife and also commemorates signing my first real work contract. The sentimental bond to this hunk of metal after 10 years of ownership is very real. This is a watch I will keep for the rest of my life and hopefully pass on to one of my daughters.