I got my first Explorer II 16570 in November
2013. Watch only. It was an A-series with the Swiss-only luminova dial and
non-SEL bracelet. I actually hadn’t been a big fan of the Exp2 and it was
mainly due to the red GMT-hand. I always visualized it to be orange just like
on the original Explorer II 1655. My plan when I got the 16570 was actually to
have the GMT-hand painted orange but instead I learned to like it.
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| #200 - The Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570. The first picture I took after unwrapping it. |
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| Essentials when taking a batch - Something to read, an ice cold beverage (in this case Chardonnay) and a waterproof watch. |
In March 2014, three months after I sold the
first one, I bought my second one. This was a P-series which means it had all the
features I prefer; lug-holes, SEL and superluminova. Besides that it was a
full set in pretty much NOS condition (except for a tiny mark on the bezel at 4
o’clock). This was the watch I traded my Jeager Le-Coultre Reverso Grand Taille
for. I had somehow come to the conclusion that this was probably the best watch you could wear if you
we’re going to be a one watch guy. My belief that this was right decision for me was so
strong it made me give up my wedding watch. Well, the Reverso was never used anyway
and I was sure that the Explorer could be used for everything. It ended up
failing me on one point and one point only; it lacked a rotatable bezel. Jeeez…
I will never be an OWG. There's always something...
The second one stayed with me for a couple of months
though and got to witness some other activities than just the daily desk diving.
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| #219 - My second Explorer II. |
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| Watch workshop. From left to right: Rolex Datejust 16013, Rolex Submariner 16610LV and my Explorer II. The 16610LV in the middle just received a black insert. |
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| Captured during a walk around Djurgården in Stockholm, March 2014. Go Bears! |
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| A rewarding beer later the same day. |
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| Resting on top of my old Fender '62 Custom Telecaster. |
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| Out pike fishing in the archipelago in mid-May 2014. I was so sick that day. The fever was killing me! |
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| My first encounter with the Rubber B. Never liked it. |
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| On my way to a business meeting. |
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| Hanging out at my in-laws. |
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| From left to right: Rolex GMT 16753 serti, Tissot Visodate and the Explorer. |
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| We were later joined by a Breitling Superocean Heritage 42. |
I never had any thoughts of ever getting an
Explorer II with white dial. It wasn’t until I had sourced one for my mom and
put it on my wrist when I realized how good it was. It actually looked much
more interesting and eye-catching than the black one. I'll definitely borrow it from her many times!
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| Borrowing my mom's white dial Explorer II for a quick wrist shot. |
© All pictures by a Watch
Flipper's Diary unless noted.
