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The story
The Explorer II of 1971, reference 1655, was designed for cave explorers and polar expeditions, where days and nights blur. Its large orange 24-hour hand and fixed 24-hour bezel tell day from night at a glance.
Later generations added an independently set hour hand, turning it into a capable second-time-zone watch. The 42 mm 216570 of 2011 brought the orange hand back, and the 226570 of 2021 marked the model’s 50th anniversary with calibre 3285.
| Years | References | Calibre | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–c.1985 | 1655 | 1575 GMT | Orange arrow 24-hour hand |
| 1985–1989 | 16550 | 3085 | Independent hour hand; 40 mm |
| 1989–2011 | 16570 | 3185, then 3186 (2007) | Long-running white or black dial |
| 2011–2021 | 216570 | 3187 | 42 mm; orange hand returns |
| 2021–today | 226570 | 3285 | 70 h reserve |
Reading a Explorer II reference
226570 is the current 42 mm Explorer II in Oystersteel, offered with a white (polar) or black dial. Earlier references are 216570 (2011), 16570 (1989), 16550 (1985) and the original 1655.
Current models and prices
Every Explorer II reference Rolex currently lists for India, with the retail price shown on rolex.com/en-in on 8 October 2026, including taxes. Where a reference comes with several dials or bracelets, the range is shown.
| Reference | Model | Case | Calibre | India price, 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 226570 | Explorer II | Oystersteel | 3285 | ₹10,34,500 |
The calibre
Calibre 3285, shared with the GMT-Master II: independently adjustable hour hand, about 70 hours of power reserve, Chronergy escapement and Superlative Chronometer certification.
Materials
Oystersteel only, with a fixed steel bezel engraved with the 24-hour scale.
- Fixed (not rotating) 24-hour bezel
- Orange 24-hour hand on 1655, 216570 and 226570
- Calibre 3285 in a 226570
- Matching papers
- A rotating bezel (that is a GMT-Master)
- Mixed-generation hands or dials
- Polished-out bezel engraving
- Papers that do not match the case
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Its 24-hour hand can show a second time zone, and since 1985 the hour hand can be set independently.
42 mm.
No. It is made in Oystersteel.