Rolex · Explorer II
Explorer II Superluminova
Case
Diameter
40.00 mm
Height
11.00 mm
Lug Width
20.00 mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Glass
Sapphire
Caseback
Closed
Water Resistance
100.00 m
Bezel
Fixed, 24 Hour
Dial
Color
White
Hands
Mercedes
Shape
Round
Other
Gender
M
Production
1989–2011
Movement Specs
Caliber
3185
Rolex in-house
Caliber Brand
Rolex
Type
Automatic
Perpetual rotor
Power Reserve
50 h
2.1 days
Frequency
28800 bph
8.0 Hz
Jewels
31
Complications
Date, Additional 24 Hour Hand (adjustable), Hours, Minutes, Seconds
About the Movement
Used in models GMT-Master II and Explorer II, the Rolex caliber 3185 is based on the 3135, but fitted with an adjustable 24h hand. It was replaced by the 3186 around 2005.
About the Family
The Explorer II was introduced in 1971 as a specialised instrument for speleologists and polar explorers — professionals who work in environments where natural light cannot indicate whether it is day or night. The defining feature is a fixed 24-hour bezel paired with an additional GMT hand, allowing the wearer to track a second time zone or, in its original purpose, to distinguish AM from PM in perpetual darkness. The Explorer II has always been the quieter sibling of the GMT-Master — less flashy, more purposeful — and its fixed bezel gives it a more restrained profile that collectors have come to appreciate as the collection has matured.
About this reference
Never as popular as the GMT or Sub, the Explorer II 16750 remains somewhat of an acquired taste. The white dial no doubt is the most distinct, while its black sibling is somewhat more subdued. Contrary to the GMT-Master II, the bezel on the Explorer II is fixed. Its predecessor was the 16550.
Other configurations
16570-0004
Black
16570-0001
White
Other references in this family