New Here

[jamski]

While I'm new to this forum, I'm a 20-year Rolex owner who really doesn't know much about the one I own.

What can you guys tell me about my watch? All I can tell you is that it's an Explorer II purchased in 1991 that still works fine (except it doesn't glow in the dark anymore, which from what I read is a common problem with watches of this age.) It has a few minor scratches on the bezel, which I assume is normal age marks from regular wear.

I still have the green box it came in with the green pillow, and the officially certified SWISS hologram "badge" (or whatever it's called).

Do they still make this model? If so, what are the differences between my "old" one and my "new" one? What's one of this age worth these days? (I'm not thinking of selling it, just curious.)

Also, where would I find the serial number on this watch? Is it engraved somewhere? Is there anything else I could know about this particular model?

Thanks!

[sea-dweller]

Welcome!

[Tools]

Welcome to TRF.

That's a beauty and the patina on the dial is eye catching and really makes your watch special... Don't do anything that would change that.... it would drop the value considerably..

The Explorer II 16570 is just now being replaced with a new 216570 that should be out later this year. That could potentially drive up the values for older models such as yours. Right now they are probably valued at about 4,000 bucks, but that could increase to 5 or 6 by this time next year..

Serial numbers are on the case under the bracelet, so you need to take it off to find both the serial and the model numbers.. one on each side..

Aside from some minor cosmetics such as an SEL bracelet and ROLEXROLEX etched around the inner rehaut, they are pretty much the same over the past 20 years..

I'm wearing mine today. It's a model from around 2000 and the only change from yours would be the Luminova dial as opposed to your early Tritium dial..

Mine was serviced this past year so no longer shows any scratches on the bracelet or bezel..

[rfknauss]

Welcome aboard!

[jamski]

Thanks for the information. But, "patina"? What's that? And, what's a SEL bracelet? And they can "buff" out my bezel scratches?

I'm probably going to put a leather band on it. The metal band that's on it now is nice, and very "Rolexy", but I think a leather one would be much more comfortable.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by jamski

Thanks for the information. But, "patina"? What's that? And, what's a SEL bracelet? And they can "buff" out my bezel scratches?

I'm probably going to put a leather band on it. The metal band that's on it now is nice, and very "Rolexy", but I think a leather one would be much more comfortable.

Welcome!

Patina is the change in colour that comes with age.

SEL stands for solid end link. On older watches the metal was folded where the bracelet met the pins on the case.

I must say, I find it a little strange that you don't know these terms and yet use the term "bezel" which is quite technical. Yes, your bezel could be polished if you had the watch serviced.

[Gharddog03]

Congrats..

[ayres]

welcome, and beautiful watch you have there...

as you've probably noticed, you have had to do very little for it over the years.

and that is exactly what i'm going to recommend...

keep wearing! enjoy it! if you have never had it serviced, i would recommend that much. it is great to own and wear a watch that does not dominate your psyche.

if it has not been done yet, have a competent technician go under the hood and make sure everything is working well. but if you like the exterior and cosmetics of the watch, then have everything remain the same - just work to the movement.

here's my n-serial exp2 from 1992 - received an overhaul last year and is running in tip top shape:

[z0mghenry]

Welcome to TRF! Hang out a bit and you'll find a wealth of information. Very knowledgeable people on these forums.

[ayres]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Welcome!

Patina is the change in colour that comes with age.

SEL stands for solid end link. On older watches the metal was folded where the bracelet met the pins on the case.

I must say, I find it a little strange that you don't know these terms and yet use the term "bezel" which is quite technical. Yes, your bezel could be polished if you had the watch serviced.

actually, it's hard to say what would happen to the bezel - but it would NOT be polished. maybe re-brushed? depending on its current condition, which is difficult to discern from the pic, rolex service center may simply replace it.

[Art 1]

You have a nice watch there, Craig in Pittsburgh has a black dial of that model. Hang on to that watch.

[MortgageGuy]

WELCOME

[bewithabob]

Welcome to TRF! That is a beautiful watch that seems to be in very nice condition. Hope you enjoy and get all your questions answered.

[Watchdog]

Welcome to the finest forum on the net!

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by ayres

actually, it's hard to say what would happen to the bezel - but it would NOT be polished. maybe re-brushed? depending on its current condition, which is difficult to discern from the pic, rolex service center may simply replace it.

Yep, my bad with the polished v brushed thing.

[MonBK]

Welcome

[youngr]

Welcome to the forum and stunning watch

[dddrees]

Welcome to TRF, nice watch you have there.

[Frogman4me]

Wow that patina is beautiful, please never send it in to replace anything, just ask to have the movement serviced. Also say no to polish!
Thanks for sharing

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Yep, my bad with the polished v brushed thing.

If I am not mistaken, it would first have to be polished, and then re-brushed depending on how deep the scratches are. You were not completely wrong my Curmudgeon brother.

[CoopJr]

Welcome to the forum...beautiful Explorer II you have there.

[Michael M.]

Welcome to TRF, nice explorer!

[Roja]

Welcome!

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by Jason71

If I am not mistaken, it would first have to be polished, and then re-brushed depending on how deep the scratches are. You were not completely wrong my Curmudgeon brother.

Verdad, hermano, verdad!

I must admit, I should have used "refurbished" rather than poslished.

Personally, I wouldn't touch it, though. Looks good as is!

[jamski]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

Wow that patina is beautiful, please never send it in to replace anything,
Thanks for sharing

I never would have thought that discoloring on the face would be so desirable. All I know is that it doesn't glow in the dark anymore.

I probably won't get it "cleaned" anytime soon. I hear that's very expensive.

[kareemthedream33]

That dial is stunning.

[Speed]

Welcome.

A complete service is about $ 500-600 USD depending on what you need. parts wise...Seems a small price to pay to keep a nice watch in shape for another decade or so.

Just curious. Why the sudden urge to pop onto a Rolex forum? You've picked a good one BTW.

[jamski]

I go thru "phases" of watch wearing. I recently started wearing my watch again, and thought about changing the band to a leather for comfort. I did a search for "rolex explorer ii leather" on Yahoo to see if it was possible, and what it might look like, and this place came up first. I started reading, and decided to join.

[Speed]

Cool!

Hope you rediscover the joys of that fine watch.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by jamski

I go thru "phases" of watch wearing. I recently started wearing my watch again, and thought about changing the band to a leather for comfort. I did a search for "rolex explorer ii leather" on Yahoo to see if it was possible, and what it might look like, and this place came up first. I started reading, and decided to join.

That watch on a tan shell cordovan leather NATO would be Da Bomb!