HOME / Bailey’s Blog / Urban Sophistication Meets Outdoor Resilience: Rolex Explorer II Reference 226570
A Timepiece for the Modern Explorer
Whether managing multiple time zones on a business trip or spending a weekend outside under the stars, this timepiece keeps you on track no matter what. The Explorer II blends refined craftsmanship with rugged durability to create something more versatile than your average luxury watch. Let’s dive into the dual nature of this timepiece and what makes it perfect for both urban and off-grid exploration.
In 1953 Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to view the Himalayan mountains from the summit of Mount Everest. Included in their kit was the Rolex Oyster Perpetual chronometer.
Months later in the same year as that Everest ascent, Rolex released the Explorer model. This descendant of the Oyster Perpetual focused on high legibility in adverse conditions. Further down the line in 1971 another watch was introduced into the collection: Explorer II. This iteration came with a 24-hour display making it easy to keep track of time in environments where day and night are indistinguishable. For instance: in the Arctic Circle during a 24-hour period of sunlight or deep underground with a group of spelunkers. Norwegian Explorer Erling Kagge was the first person to reach the North Pole, South Pole and the summit of Mount Everest on foot. The words “North Pole 1990, South Pole 1992-3, Mt Everest 1994” are engraved on the caseback of his Explorer II. There have been five iterations of the Explorer II model. Reference 226570 is an example of the newest model, which was released in 2021.
At the heart of Explorer II is the Rolex Oyster case which was the world’s first water resistant wristwatch with its screw-down bezel, case-back, and threaded crown. The case is crafted from 904L Steel—a high-grade stainless-steel alloy used for its corrosion resistance and sheen. This material was first used in watches by Rolex in 1985. It wasn’t until 2018 that Rolex referred to the 904L steel as “Oystersteel”. Attached to the Oyster case is a fixed bezel, screw-down crown and scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The 42mm case of the Explorer II displays strength and style making it suitable for any setting.
Check out these specs from Rolex.
- Model case
Oyster, 42 mm, Oystersteel
- Oyster architecture
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
- Diameter
42 mm
- Material
Oystersteel
- Bezel
Fixed, 24-hour graduated
- Winding crown
Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system
- Crystal
Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date
- Water resistance
Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet
Powered by the Caliber 3285, an in-house manufactured movement, the Explorer is an example of Rolex’s precision engineering. The perpetual, mechanical, self-winding movement features a GMT function, allowing wearers to track multiple time zones with ease. With a power reserve of around 70 hours, the Explorer II provides uninterrupted performance, even during extended journeys off the beaten path.
Check out these specs from Rolex.
- Movement
Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, GMT function
- Caliber
3285, Manufacture Rolex
- Precision
-2/+2 sec/day, after casing
- Functions
Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. 24-hour display. Second time zone with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand. Instantaneous date. Stop-seconds for precise time setting
- Oscillator
Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
- Winding
Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
- Power reserve
Approximately 70 hours
The Rolex Explorer II represents the artistry of watchmaking and the spirit of exploration. From its strong construction to its innovative features like the broad central hand with arrow-shaped tip, to the Oysterlock folding clasp, every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance your experience, whether you’re scaling mountain peaks or navigating the urban jungle.
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