How Rolex Perfected The Explorer II - 16570 Review & Comparison
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
Today I finally get to review the successor to my favorite watch of all time. That’s right, we’re talking about the Explorer II.
Unlike most stories of triumph involving Rolex, this watch had a stormy development that was fraught with marketing failures, quirky unsuccessful designs, and poor sales.
Why was this? Why did the famous original Explorer field watch become a watch with a multiple time zone GMT complication? How did this troublesome evolution culminate in one of their best value, most under appreciated, everyday luxury and tool watch hybrids? Join me at Philadelphia's iconic Penn's Landing for my review and comparison of reference 16570 to find out how Rolex perfected their Explorer.
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Пікірлер: 385
Best bit of this video? Trying to convince director to let them go on a swan boat with equipment that costs more than a car and a rather expensive timepiece 😂
@jazzbeaunola
4 жыл бұрын
What's the worst that could happen, really?
@timofreee
4 жыл бұрын
equipment costs more than a car, the final video looks just as good as a DW watch. nothing special.
@valjean3141
4 жыл бұрын
That’s rather snarky. The video looks professionally shot and edited-sort of PBS documentary-style. The tone is not exciting, but comparison to Daniel Wellington (i.e., fraudulent crap) seems inapt.
@parker7785
4 жыл бұрын
@@jazzbeaunola -THW0RZTTHiNGTHATC0ULDHAPPENiZMRMCD0NNELC0ULDMAKEAN0THERC0MMENT++++////
My dad had the 16570, but he give me it and now it's my favourite watch which i use every day and if I'm without it I don't go out, love this watch
The clasp on that explorer ii is officially scratched to hell after this.
Explorer 1 = perfection
@nickburns3446
4 жыл бұрын
The only watch you ever need
@Tomatohater64
4 жыл бұрын
Can I have an Amen to that?
@Pedal2Metal_on_YouTube
4 жыл бұрын
Agreed
@sc5759
4 жыл бұрын
Sold my Explorer two weeks ago. Horrible decision and I’ve been looking for a new one since that day.
@charlesflint9048
4 жыл бұрын
Here is an example with the original Explorer1 of “Less is More”.
Dear TGV, thanks again for an amazing cinematic experience and thoughtful insight with regards to one of my favorite timepieces. In a world where mundane is becoming more acceptable, your punctilious watch reviews are extremely refreshing.
Great vid as usual! I Iove the stories you connect with the watches and it really is why I love this hobby. Cheers!
Thank you for the great content as always! I have been watching your channel for almost a year now. You’ve got me started on my journey with Horology. Thanks again!!!
A joy to watch... Nice & relaxed video with soft transitions... better than the flashy changes which give some people headaches !
Love the loose, relaxed, yet professional style of videos👍🏼
This quality is absolutely amazing! Would love to see more content like this. Goodnight T
Such high production quality! Crazy to see how much this channel has grown. Keep up the great work!
Great video! Love the outdoor shooting and the info. Good work!
TGV needs a gopro in a waterproof case, for those adventure shots, his desire for swan boats should not be denied lol
@thermionic1234567
4 жыл бұрын
Tyler Colvin Agreed! He coulda used a cell phone camera as well...
Great video presentation. I am glad you shot this at Penn's landing. It has changed a lot since I was on the scene there in 1976. I was working on a ship which was in the background of many of your shots - the four masted barque: Moshulu, which unfortunately was turned into a restaurant. I helped rig a restaurant. One of these days I will have to travel to Philly and renew my acquaintance with old haunts, especially at Penn's landing. Keep on exploring and showing us Philly - all the best. RKL
I bought a 2000 Black Exp2 this past winter. I went to the AD to see a Sub Date and the Exp2 was next to it. I tried them both on, and had to fight the fact that I came to get the Sub but quickly fell in love with the Exp2. First, it has the same dial and cyclops as the sub but also has the 24hr hand of the GMT. Then, I put it on and it was over! The watch just blended into my wrist and the steel bezel was just enough to add some casual class to the watch in contrast to the sport look of the Sub. Thanks for doing a video on this “under the radar” steel Rolex. One of the best watch buys I ever made.
I'm glad you mentioned the newer "Gargantuan" gen can also suit medium to somewhat smallish wrists as well. It really is a very versatile and beautiful piece.
Very nice video TGV..really liked this type of on the go review and some of the table top shots displaying the watch beautifully..keep up the good work Sir..👍🏻👍🏻
I`ve only owned the 216570 Rolex Explorer II a few weeks! I`m super happy, over the moon! I got it for my 50th birthday, the watch performs perpetual excellence and is so versitale. It can easy be a one luxury watch collection!! 👍🏻👍🏻🤩🤩
If you're really in luxury, you gotta be into '66 Buick Riverias
@realblackbetty2204
4 жыл бұрын
Cam Rackam 😂
@steve69chevy
4 жыл бұрын
And phree tee shirts
@stevenc8054
4 жыл бұрын
Apex Kuntery there Sneaky respectos
I bought my black dial Explorer II just last month and couldn't be happier with it. It's such an understated watch with genuine tool heritage. I don't mind that its less appreciated because it means you don't see many in the wild compared to submariners, DJs etc
Love this sort of content, beautifully executed and astounding quality. Personally my favorite is the review you did on your very own yellow gold day-date.
Enjoyed this one TGV! liked the shout out to the battleship New Jersey! My parents took me to visit my uncle who was serving on the New Jersey while it was in port in San Francisco back in 1969!
Another cool watch. This is one is now more popular because people cannot get the Rolex they want and no longer want to pay the exorbitant re-sale prices. Love the banter with the camera crew. Looking forward to the next video. Keep up the good work.
One of your best videos yet. Congratulations and keep up the good work. (It also helps that I love the E2 ;-)
Btw TGV, I wanted to thank you for your reviews of the Victorinox Inox and Casio G Shock DW5600E as a result I've purchased both and I'm very pleased.
A great video for some inspiration to start off this school year, wonderful video as always and the explorer II has been a watch I’ve been waiting to see you review, I’m so happy you finally were able too!! Best regards, Conner
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much captain :D O&U! Best regards, TGV
That Place looked amazing, perfect place for a picnic!! Great review as always TGV, As you know I always enjoy the adventure type Videos!! Brilliant work.. Always positive!! BMJ ENGLAND 🏴
This is one of the most comprehensive Explorer II videos period! Great job brother 👏
Great video! I don’t always want a seven course meal on a watch, but, when I do, it’s your videos that I go to.
Dude what a video. Love the presentation style and videography. I definitely think you could have your own TV show.
You make a watch look great! I always want to buy the watch you're featuring! Well done!
2 yrs. ago my nephew graduated from high school and I took him to pick out a Rolex and the Expl.Ii was his choice (white dial). Love the review so clean and fact driven. Thanks !
@megadave1197
4 жыл бұрын
When I graduated from college my uncle bought me a pint of beer of my choice (Stella Artois) in the pub.
Great video as always. Love your outdoor adventures. Love the Explorer 2 in particular the polar dial. Can't believe your director wouldn't let you "swan" around on the river......sounded like he had a "cob"on......ahem..... . Anyway great video, good to see a bit of Philly. Enjoy sir
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Chris, LOL at the director comment! He is a legend. Best regards, TGV
A watch designed for spelunking, but made for people who won't go near mud.
@joem5140
4 жыл бұрын
or floating swans...
Dear TGV, I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. You truly inspire me to become a better version of myself. You also introduced me to a new hobby! I am looking to buy an Orient Bambino as my first watch, I cannot wait.
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
THAT makes my day. Thank you my friend and welcome to the Gentry! The Bambino was a classy choice, enjoy. Best regards, TGV
Awesome review!! I was at the museum there last August. Absolutely spectacular spot there. I have my first Rolex Explorer 2 incoming 😊👍
Another great review. Love it when you’re outside moving around and we get to see different parts of the city. I personally don’t really like the look of the stainless steel or white gold bezel. Somehow it looks cheap to me. Obviously I am showing my lack of exposure to these quality Rolex. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, these just don’t appeal to me. Glad to see you having so much fun TGV, You were almost giddy at times.Great fun.
Finally a TGV video on the 16570!
You should do sometimes videos exactly like this, it's different and refreshing and a whole new level! Really nice timepiece thank you for all facts and information. Cheers
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir, you are so right, this is exactly always the plan, to switch it up so it's not always just the same style. People always panic an think it is JUST one style, but there will always be vids like this, table top with white gloves, vids with Hugo, top 10s etc... etc. Onwards and upwards! Best regards, TGV
@vuletije
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your time TGV! You really care about feedbacks and your audience! I think it's good to maintain your own style that you already have, no doubt that audience like it (including myself), but you know, some extra content like this at least 2 times per month would be perfect! Best regards my friend.
For cameras that cost a car you'd think they'd match white balance...great shots though nice vid.
@CommandoMaster
4 жыл бұрын
Buy A Rolex for Life!
awesome vid - bang up job !!
Great video! Thanks so much
Tenuous connection yes, cool video yes. Good choice in location keep it up.
Hi TGV, How are you? I hope that you are doing well. I am a huge fan of your’s and watches in general. I was born in 1981 and since I could remember, I see and appreciate my Dad’s manual wound Rolex Oyster date Precision which he has since the 70’s to this very day. He wears it often and still treats it in sublime fashion. I learned all about the greatness of this brand from him. I am from India (In Australia presently) and a Mechanical Engineer (Which explains my interest in watches and it’s mechanisms) and the first watch I bought was when I got an overseas job-Seiko SKX007. The second was a Certina DS Podium chronograph quartz and the last one here in Australia-Glycine Combat Sub (Inspired by your review). Great watches to say the least! I wish my next watch to be an Automatic chronograph. My options are-Victorinox Airboss 241620 or the Fortis Aquatis Marinemaster Chronograph. Would highly appreciate it if you could review both of these watches as I know how much respect you have for these brands and their products. Please try if you could. Thanks and Kind Regards Renoy Scaria
Great to catch your video few minutes before my flight to London. Excited to move to your city TGV!
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Wow, that is amazing, the. very best of luck. No city comes close to it! Thank you Jeremy, please do keep me posted. Best regards, TGV
Thank you for this video and loving the content. I do own 16570 also and really love it!
Gotta love the 40mm Explorer II. I just wish Rolex didn’t make it jumbo for the current generation.
@ryank.y4562
4 жыл бұрын
Per Johansen you nooooob ?
@benson3166
4 жыл бұрын
Per Johansen the new explorer II looks ugly and stupid with that chunky size
Excellent presentation, as always!
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Roger, you are a gent! Best regards, TGV
Great video TGV but... my God... why are you slapping that Oyster clasp on a picnic table! Made me flinch!
This is my favorite option if I were to get a rolex as a daily wearer. It's simple and not showy like other rolexes. And it has a date complication which for me is essential for a daily wearer. The only negatives is setting the date (sometimes can be more tedious than a standard quickset). But as an added bonus, you have an AM/PM, GMT, or dual time function!
"Derrière" is just a plain french word, which means "behind". All pretty simple, really. Thank me later for the arsesistance.
@KoIhara
4 жыл бұрын
Seriously, the most memorable point of this video was that TGV’s derrière is on fire, and it’s ok that I didn’t understand what that meant.
You are making the best watch videos... love
Nice video and info
Tooltastic! We needed this word; so thanks for the neologism! Speaking of Ian Fleming, I just watched a video on his role in convincing the Germans the Allies would invade Greece rather than Sicily. Worked like a charm!
Love your intros all the time
as always, a top class review TGV! proudly wearing my 5500 air king while watching this one. definitely understand the slow release charm!
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
What a classy choice! I adore all the 5500, I almost bought one myself. Enjoy and wear it with pride my friend. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, Best regards, TGV
Good stuff.I am sure I speak for many here that would love to see you do a shot on that WW2 sub? That would be a treat! Cheers.
Super liked the episode, best one yet! And derrière is indeed French, it means behind...
As always, an excellent and instructive video. How about a video on the classic Glycine Airman GMT?
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you JB, I will deffo re-visit the Airman, even if it is the 4th, possible 5th time or so on this channel Best regards, TGV
My favorit watch, Explorer II polar dial. Thanks for the video !
The Explorer is a timeless timepiece, does one thing extremely well, simple in it's design, and versatile. My Grail which I hope to obtain in the near future. Nice video..
Hi TGV - I finally got my Explorer 1 and agree it's the best all around watch in my opinion. Thanks for the video that inspired me to save for it. Best Regards, John
Great history lesson. I appreciate the vintage Explorer over the modern version, though I do like the current Polar version. Thanx for the beautiful tour TGV. All the best Sir. Soak up that vitamin D. 👍👍🍷🍷
Explorer 214270 mk2 is my new grail, even though I thought the Speedie was my grail. Got that. LOL. Love it. I also love me a Polar Ex. II
@frankhandy8868
4 жыл бұрын
Taylor W. I also want 214270 and a speedie. I just bought a 16570 Polar 2 weeks ago from Federico and love it
I like the idea of linking watches to actual places and stories while visiting the spots. Please consider making a video featuring the Mason-Dixon line, great amalgamation of American history, astronomy and exploration.
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Klaus, I will certainly look into your suggestion. Best regards, TGV
All this production budget but still not uploading in 4k? Haha all jokes aside, great video as always!
Nice review. I love my 16570 Polar. Was my first Rolex.
really enjoyed this video
Speaking of Explorers, I just bought a new 214270 mk2 in celebration of my new son, love it!
Great video, as usual. I prefer the explorer 1, I’m saving for one now... unless I break and pick up that black bay 58 I’ve been eyeing!
Well done! Great vid. Make one for the Milgauss next...
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Excellent idea!! Thank you Prnuv, I will deffo add it to the list. Best regards, TGV
Great video. The explorer 2 is actually my favourite Rolex of all. I'd go polar dial but saying that the black dial looks fantastic too. Gotta say though I don't care at all for the newer 42mm references, the case, hour plots and hands are far too large, almost comically large, the proportions have been lost.
A nice video again!
Excellent review tgv
Easily my favourite Rolex. Nice vid as always TGV.
I like the 216570 Exp II, mostly because of the return of the orange 24-hour hand. Now, if Rolex put a bezel on that one that looked like the bezel from the 1655, they'd have an AMAZING watch. There was an unofficial (not endorsed by Rolex) release called the Rolex Explorer Hillary Tenzing Edition with this combo, and it is STUNNING.
This guy is awesome! Plus he knows more about history than most Americans 😅
T, Absolute Quality mate. Spot on! The lion goes from strength to strength. Best as always. Matthew
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
The lion never folds, never gives up, never backs down, never pays attention to the naysayers, never stops trying and trying again. it takes one to know one. KBO brother. Thank you, Best regards, TGV
Also for exploration of polar regions where the sun doesn't rise/set? Cool vid- my only Rolex is one of these, and you're dead right about it being something of a do-it-all watch - when I go on holiday I don't want to take more than one watch, and this is invariably the one I select. And yes, it's gorgeous on a black perforated sailcloth strap, and a black/grey striped Nato as well. Agreed also that if you're after perfection, it has to be the Explorer (One), but I can't justify having both. My simple 3-hander sports watch is a Black Bay 58 (which ticks the diver box for me too).
Amazing review. Love the Explo II for it’s beautiful steel bezel 😍. Pure class like you would have said if you liked it as much as I do 😉. BTW Derrière is indeed a French word 😅👍.
FINALY THE 16570!!! :D I have been waiting for years! :)
Drives be crazy when I see reviews of the explorer II. I wanted one and searched for months for the perfect one and never pulled the trigger then a GMT Master II Black fell in my lap and I grabbed it. Im thinking I'll always perfer the Polar Explorer to the GMT. But the GMT is a better investment and I have it. Great video been to the Philly water front a few times its a very nice place to explore.
40 years ago I bought a new Submariner, but ALWAYS obsessed over the 1655 Ex-II. It has been my only watch regret over those decades.....not buying a new one back then. In the early 1990's I bought a white-dial-16570. I've since given both to my twin daughters. These days, my favorite watch is the one on my wrist; which ever I happen to be wearing. I own the modern Ex-I & Ex-II; 214270 & 216579 respectively, and are by far my favorite Rolex Sport offerings. PS: I've watched your Day-Date video a hundred times since last week! Thanks and be well...
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend, especially on the DD video re-wathcing, it means a great deal to me to hear that. You have excellent taste, your daughters must be proud to have you as a father, you are a true gent. O&U! Best regards, TGV
The two watches i’ll love to own. 124270 & 226570 ❤ Great video as always 🙌🏾
You, my friend are going to kill my bank account. One of the guys at my work has an explorer 2 in white and it looks fantastic in person.
Love infos about the movement :)
Great video 👍🏻. I much prefer the Explorer, maybe that’s why my Explorer 2 is going to be sold (only 1 careful owner) 😂.
Great video!
God do I love The Explorer II. That tad of red...One of these days... Thanks for the content T!
Wish you talked about the 16550 ivory rail dial :( but great video regardless!
I bought an Explorer II because it is absolutely the most watch for the money that you can get out of a pre-owned Rolex. You get a GMT without the GMT Master price with a BETTER bezel.
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Well said, Thank you Orwly, Best regards, TGV
@exps19
4 жыл бұрын
There really is something so much cleaner about the Exp II vs. the GMT due to the steel bezel. I walked in with my heart set on a GMT, but by the time I walked out, I was firmly on the hunt for an Exp II in black.
Yes in deed we say "Le derrière" in France ! To refer to our a**. I hope you recovered from your fatal derrière burns by the way. Great video! Best regards Mr TGV!
Terrific video again T. 👍👍
@theurbangentry
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Blair :D Best regards, TGV
I adore your charisma, TGV
Great video! Just a question--what's the video you're the most proud of?
I like your channel, but ever since you have started working with watchbox, you have stopped making videos about the affordable pieces. Plz try to bring those alternatives on stage as well. Thanks 👍
Come on people! TGV is wearing an Explorer while exploring!
On this episode of Asses of Fire, with Terrence & Phillip...
Make a video on the Aquarium at Camden, NJ. I went there in 2014, will visit again this October.
Stop, doing videos on my next grail watch, I'm going to be bankrupt. :)
@torbensvensson2093
4 жыл бұрын
nick burns you are absolut right, it`s. the Perfect Grailwatch!! I`m a happy owner for only a few weeks. I was offered a Polar Rolex Explorer II from an AD here in Sweden, and I took it, I bought it the same day as a gift for my own 50th birthday!👍🏻🤩 You can see it on Instagram @tobbensvensson.... I hope you get yours!👌🏻👌🏻😉
@nickburns3446
4 жыл бұрын
@@torbensvensson2093well I'm on the hunt for one!
@TheOwlGuy777
4 жыл бұрын
I bought mine pre-owned from Crown and Caliber in Atlanta back in December. They had a sale AND a $500 off deal.
@voidboy9862
4 жыл бұрын
@@torbensvensson2093 ..........Congrats man! The Polar Explorer II is by far my favorite watch in there current lineup
@torbensvensson2093
4 жыл бұрын
Void Boy986 Wow, Thanks!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 It truly is an amazing timepiece! It really gives us Perpetual Excellence!!🤩🤩🤩