FS (UK based): ROLEX EXPLORER II, 216570, 2019, black dial, papers, box: £7400/$9398

[plainsdrifter]

THE UK OWNER HAS BEEN A ROLEX EXPLORER II wearer since 1976. This one was bought new from Mappin & Webb in Cambridge, UK, in 2019.

(It comes with lineage having replaced a venerable predecessor [model 1655] which kept time in various places across 20 countries. A third service back in 2009 in Geneva kept the old battle-cruiser moving nicely.)

Following easy-street, its successor, the watch here, was bought new in 2019. And it’s had a much more sedate life. Wear is commensurate with four years of normal use. Excellent condition. Unpolished, so there’s no loss of albeit a fraction of a micron of good stainless steel. Some scratching on one of the lugs which comes rather less amiss on a workhorse like the Explorer II. A nice and mellow patina all round. Incredibly, the sapphire crystal is flawless. When being worn, it looks like it could have been bought six months ago.

The movement keeps perfectly accurate time; the only adjustments made have been on BST changes and entering another time-zone – not that often since purchase.

Comes with presentation box, case, and all papers, the whole nine yards. Guarantee expires 16 April 2024. Also, a signed letter from Richard de Leyser, the respected Rolex UK boss, acknowledging some ideas and comments on both watches. (One of those ideas has been incorporated in the latest Explorer II model 226570 but no clue if it originated in one of the suggestions or was in line with similar feedback. Probably the latter.)

Other items of interest are Watches of Switzerland/Mappin and Webb receipt, Rolex Explorer II booklet, a history of the Rolex Explorer II, newspaper article, and the owner’s records and pics of both watches on a CD.

So it’s a sad parting from Explorer IIs, this one, as the old 1655, two great watches, a traveller’s talisman. But there’s no one to pass the baton to and something lighter is now required …

NOTE: Spare link for bracelet included.

POLISHING: The watch is unpolished as a preference. (Rolex was requested NOT to polish the old 1655 on its 3rd service because of wear due to polish-abrasion on previous servicing.) Pros and cons of polishing (removing all scratches and making used look like new) is on (click on browse youtube) https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ot-polish.html If desired, polishing is inexpensive at £85+, see https://luxurywatchrepairs.com/pages/rolex but arguably it’s best done as part of a Rolex service as this will be included.

PRICE: £7400/$9398 for RF members. Payment info on expression of interest. No returns. PM or please use [email protected] Tel: 00 44 1787 827401 (best time to call is 1400-1700 UK time). (Item also on ebay.)

DISPATCH: Point of dispatch Clare, Sudbury, Suffolk, UK. Post/courier/FREE of charge. Carriage and insurance by UPS. (Prior to despatch, the watch will be cleaned with a solution of warm water and detergent using a soft brush, dried thoroughly, and placed in the box.)