Explorer II 16570 vs. 216570

[bobznew]

Interested in hearing from owners, former owners, and would-be owners of either of these models. Which model do you prefer, the older 16570 or the newer 216570? And why?

[red1108nyc]

I think it comes down to the preference of orange hand vs. red hand and most importantly, wrist size. For my smaller 6.5 inch wrist and I have owned both models, the 16570 fits my wrist better vs. the SEL bracelet. I also opt'd for the 3186 movement with engraved rehaut (M serial and on to G) to give it a little differentiation. All personal preference of course!

[joe100]

I prefer the 216570 to the 16570 but I prefer the 16550 to both. The 550 has that awesome bezel font

[SaddleSC]

I have owned both and I prefer the newer version because of the new clasp, larger dial, solid center link bracelet and phantom hand effect. However, both are great...you cannot make a bad decision:)

[Annan]

I've responded to several similar threads and can only repeat the following with growing certainty. Last year I flipped a 16570 for a 216570 and could not be happier. The orange GMT hand really pops and the larger size makes it very easy for my old eyes to read, even in the dark without my glasses. The bracelet is heavier thanks to solid SS links vs. the rolled links on the 16570 and I love the Easylink adjustment. Have to admit the 42mm size took some getting used to. My other Rolex in addition to my old 16570 is a 36mm DJ. After a couple of weeks, however the 216570 seemed the perfect size to me. The watch is built like a tank but wears very comfortably IMO. When it first came out I was sure it would be too big for my 6.5" wrist but I was wrong. Try on both if you can and then YOU decide. Both are great so you really can't go wrong.

[Psmith]

I've owned both and much prefer the 216570
All of the great updates (size, lume, bracelet, clasp, etc) make it a winner, and the orange hand is a nice reference to the original version. I also like that the 216570 is a model in its own right and not just a GMT with a different bezel
.
.

[jamesbondOO7]

No brainer, the 40 mm is much nicer. The 42 mm is just a bad facelift. The size, the maxi dial, the orange instead of red: all wrong. The 16570 is the most comfortable watch ever.

[kh1970]

I'm probably going to be in the minority here, but I have owned both and prefer the 16570. I sold my 16570 to get the 216570, had it for a couple of months then sold it to go back to a 16570. Although the 216570 has a number of great improvements like the clasp, I like the size and look of the 16570. Both are great watches though, so good luck with the decision and purchase!

[red1108nyc]

Originally Posted by kh1970

I'm probably going to be in the minority here, but I have owned both and prefer the 16570. I sold my 16570 to get the 216570, had it for a couple of months then sold it to go back to a 16570. Although the 216570 has a number of great improvements like the clasp, I like the size and look of the 16570. Both are great watches though, so good luck with the decision and purchase!

I actually did the same. I started with the 42mm and sold it. Now, I am hanging with my 40mm sized Polar!

[Cc1966]

I prefer the 216570 to the 16570. Better clasp and presence. Good luck...

[Nycturbovr6]

I like the 216570 more

[mimo5000]

I'm biased as I own the 16570, and am not considering moving to the 216570. I tried it on side-by-side at an AD, and didn't like the comparison.
I feel like 40mm is just the perfect size for my wrist (I will stray +/- a few mm, but not in this case). I love my Polar more and more every day.

[sea-dweller]

I have a small wrist, so the 16570 fits me perfectly.

[adamlea]

For some reason, the Exp II generates a lot of discussion. I posted a thread similar to this one last spring, when I was researching my first Rolex, and I got a lot of great feedback.

I went with the 216570 because: I thought the 3187 movement was an improvement over the 3186, I liked the maxi dial and the 42mm size, I preferred the bracelet and clasp on the 216570, and because I liked the design homage the 216570 pays to the 1655, a true classic. I also went with the 216570 because I wanted the AD experience for my first Rolex. And I went with black.

The 216570 is a great looking, very legible, and under the radar Rolex. I've only seen one other one in the wild - and it was a polar.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by adamlea

For some reason, the Exp II generates a lot of discussion. I posted a thread similar to this one last spring, when I was researching my first Rolex, and I got a lot of great feedback.

I went with the 216570 because: I thought the 3187 movement was an improvement over the 3186, I liked the maxi dial and the 42mm size, I preferred the bracelet and clasp on the 216570, and because I liked the design homage the 216570 pays to the 1655, a true classic. I also went with the 216570 because I wanted the AD experience for my first Rolex. And I went with black.

The 216570 is a great looking, very legible, and under the radar Rolex. I've only seen one other one in the wild - and it was a polar.

D@mn good reasoning!

[Armyguy03]

If lug holes then for me.

[CDNWatchNut]

I prefer the subtlety of the 16570. The 216570 is overdone for my taste in terms of the case size, and size of the dial markers and hands. I was initially excited to possibly get one when they were first announced, but after I saw it in person, that went away and I walked out the door with my 16570 polar holding a solid place in my watchbox.

[Cru Jones]

White? Red hand.

Black? Either color hand.

Either way, be sure scratches on the finely brushed insert don't bother you (because they will show up easily).

[Beef]

I've got both. Although they function the same, they are completely different watches. All of the above mentioned differences. It just comes down to personal preference on look and feel. IMHO, the perfect EXP II would have been a a 40mm sized version of the 216570. But Rolex didn't ask me......

[Rich2putt]

It's the 216570 for me.

[rph08]

I have a black 16570. I purchased it from an AD in 2011. I knew the revised model was on the way to ADs, but personally I'm not a big fan of the 42mm case, larger dial markers, and the fat hands. The bracelet and clasp is pretty nice though. I would suggest also looking at the 39 mm Explorer. I just picked one up, and I told my Wife if I had bought it first then I might have never bought the 16570.

[swils8610]

I've had both and much prefer the 216570. It's really personal opinion. I have an 8 inch wrist so I like the 42mm.


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[jay1988]

I'd love to get a 16570 with the 3186 movement and put it on a Subc glidelock. I read somewhere that it fits. Would be a great combination.

[Presa canary]

I owned both, I now only have the 16570.

[lmcgbaj]

216570 clasp puts to shame the older style. I only like the new maxi dial but I would have preferred a smaller case. Maybe a bulkier 40mm ala SubC.

[submariner123]

216570 has a much nicer clasp, but I hate the orange hand.

[GEO_79]

I try them both and I prefer 216570

[1967ppk]

I just bought a 16570, I tried on the new Explorer but I felt that Rolex destroyed the original look of the Explorer ll. The original dial was perfectly proportioned to the watchband compared to the new style. I guess Rolex changed it because the style is big watches. Chrysler did the same with the new Dodge Challenger, I love the new style except for the 18" or 20" tires which are not proportioned to the body. Look at a 1971 Challenger, the car came with 14" and 15" tires which were optional, the car was perfect.

[hknslmz]

16570 is soooo comfortable! I wear mine 7/24 even when sleeping..

[Castor]

Originally Posted by Annan

I've responded to several similar threads and can only repeat the following with growing certainty. Last year I flipped a 16570 for a 216570 and could not be happier. The orange GMT hand really pops and the larger size makes it very easy for my old eyes to read, even in the dark without my glasses. The bracelet is heavier thanks to solid SS links vs. the rolled links on the 16570 and I love the Easylink adjustment. Have to admit the 42mm size took some getting used to. My other Rolex in addition to my old 16570 is a 36mm DJ. After a couple of weeks, however the 216570 seemed the perfect size to me. The watch is built like a tank but wears very comfortably IMO. When it first came out I was sure it would be too big for my 6.5" wrist but I was wrong. Try on both if you can and then YOU decide. Both are great so you really can't go wrong.

What he said.