Got The Call: Explorer II Polar... On RubberB Strap

[enjoythemusic]

For many years have had an eye on a Rolex Polar, aka reference 216570 Explorer II. With a generous case size of 42mm, the slightly over-sized black main indices and orange color highlights for flair truly speaks to me. It is also extremely easy to read day or night... and when we decide to revisit Alaska to once again climbing the glaciers, or when we go spelunking in South America.



Explorer II is a unique mechanical timepiece, as it is the only model equipped with Rolex's in-house designed and produced calibre 3187 self-winding mechanical movement. Everything seems bigger, and that's a very good thing indeed! In addition to bolder / broader conventional hands with center lume outlined by black paint, it features a 24-hour hand outlined in my fave happy color orange to display a second time zone.

The 3187 automatic wind mechanical movement is fitted with Rolex's #Parachrom hairspring and innovative #Paraflex shock absorber, offering greater resistance to shocks, magnetic fields (speaker engineers take note!), and to extreme weather conditions. As is typical of Rolex, the movement is COSC certified and is guaranteed to be +/- 2 seconds a day. FYI: Only 3% of Swiss watch production are COSC certified.



The lume is incredible! As i usually wake up around 4am, finally rolling out of bed at around 4:30am to get to work, it is easy to read the time on my wrist due to the lume's intensity and duration. The Explorer II is my champion for most visible lume of any timepiece here. Speaking of viability, the glossy white dial seems to capture even the faintest of light. This ensures you can read the time in virtually any light condition.



While the Oystersteel (904L) bracelet is comfy and typical of modern Rolex durability, have chosen a RubberB VulChromatic watch band with orange stripe. This Swiss-made vulcanized rubber strap utilizes "Blocked Integration" engineering, incorporating solid inserts for a flawless and flush mount to the watch case. A center orange stripe compliments the style visually with Rolex's Explorer II.



Wearing her for the past 18 hours, she feels exactly as expected. Casually comfortable wrist / weight balance in any position. So... easy to read day or night, excellent build quality, and it feels great on my wrist. Highly recommended!

Would like to thank Nicholas Squitieri @ Mayors Jewelers Tampa / Watches Of Switzerland for another wonderful AD experience.

[breitlings]

Cool!

[DLRIDES]

:

Nice !

[Eatapp]

Awesome! Nice write up!

[SeanE]

I just got a black E2 and it came with a Rubber B. I’ll give it a try next summer. The polar looks great!

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by SeanE

I just got a black E2 and it came with a Rubber B. I’ll give it a try next summer. The polar looks great!

Congrats! Time to go exploring

[vanhwrd4]

Love that watch with the rubber b. I bought the same watch a few years back with and immediately put a rubber b on it.

[Art 1]

Congrats. I really like mine. It's my favorite Rolex.

[SkyJuice]

Nice pick up!

[avences]

Congrats, looks great on the rubber

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

[BigBoy17]

Blocked Integration” engineering.....

[Meyrin]

The lume on your Explorer is quite spectacular! Hope it lasts for years...the lume on my 23+ years Sub 14060 is all but dead now...

[watchmework]

Congrats on the Exp Stephen

[JR16]

Congrats! Does it wear smaller on the rubber B? My issue w the current exp2 is the size on my wrist. Bought a polar 16570 instead but love the maxi dial of the 42


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[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by JR16

Congrats! Does it wear smaller on the rubber B? My issue w the current exp2 is the size on my wrist. Bought a polar 16570 instead but love the maxi dial of the 42

Many thanks! Never wore it on stock band, so can't say. It is flatter than the Pepsi GMT, and does feel a tiny touch bigger case. Legibility, including date, is incredible!

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Have you thought about going the Orange Shark Skin Rubber B? Think that would look so amazing with the orange GMT hand.

Debated orange strap in general, might do it for certain occasions yet not when daily beater'ing. Got link for shark skin?

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

Blocked Integration” engineering.....

Yeah, lol worthy but easy way to describe tight fit by case. Also have bands from Everest, one on the Sub... both companies make good bands. Flip a coin / choose a style from either and buy. :)

[jackin_jill]

Congratulations on the watch.

Although I wasn't sure I was reading a watch review or a Rubber B commercial.

[Odie-r]

Congrats on your new Explorer II. Love that white dial!

[kieselguhr]

Congrats! Thanks for the interesting read Enjoy that watch in great health

Also, one of the dive masters I dive with wears his previous gen explorer 2 on dives. He’s not much of a watch guy so never really talk watches with him. So if you ever decide to take it down to the depths, it will do just fine as it will at a glacier peak

[macrowatch]

Have you thought about going the Orange Shark Skin Rubber B? Think that would look so amazing with the orange GMT hand.

[matt_Denver]

Congrats Steven! How long was your wait before your AD called?

(I’ve been waiting 3+ months for a Exp2 Polar dial)

[Little machines]

Congrats great watch !!

[Likestheshiny]

That little stripe of colour on Rubber B straps really does wonders on certain watches. It's such a subtle addition, but it changes seemingly-random bits of green or orange into part of a cohesive whole.

[enjoythemusic]

With incredible legability and larger date, decided to buy a few bands and make the Explorer II my new daily beater. Here she is on NATO watch band.

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

Congrats Steven! How long was your wait before your AD called?
(I’ve been waiting 3+ months for a Exp2 Polar dial)

Will plead the 5th, so as not to anger TRF. Last time i was offered a Polar was in June, yet stupidly passed. Would have been perfect for our trip to Alaska as we did a lot of mountain climbing and glacier stuff too. AD knew I was bumming over passing it up back in June.

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

That little stripe of colour on Rubber B straps really does wonders on certain watches. It's such a subtle addition, but it changes seemingly-random bits of green or orange into part of a cohesive whole.

Sure does!

Ordered a few $20 Barton 21mm silicone bands too. Black top / orange bottom, all orange, and all white for when the wife wants to wear.

[joerivers1961]

Great review and pictures. Congratulations on a great watch. I did the same as you but went full orange Rubberb. It definitely feels substantial after wearing my 5980 for more than 2 weeks at a time. I get more compliments on the Explorer II than any of my Pateks or AP's

[enjoythemusic]

Looks great on orange for sure! Yeah, my Rolexs get far many more compliments than the Pateks ever did.

[enjoythemusic]

Here's 1 of 3 Barton watchbands. Very comfy and softer than the RubberB. Only $20 each, quick release spring bars, so have this one with black top / orange underside, an all orange, and an all white one for when wife wears her.

[AJM914]

Congrats nice!

[enjoythemusic]

A bit or orange for the holidays :)

[uniqueMR]

Congrats

[ancientmariner]

Looks great!
Congrats