1997 Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 – White Dial & Patinated Tritium

We are pleased to present this superb Rolex Explorer II reference 16570, equipped with a white dial, produced in 1997.
This example belongs to the final production runs to use tritium, and accordingly bears the “SWISS – T < 25” marking at 6 o’clock. The markers and hands have developed a magnificent, uniformly warm eggshell patina, with perfect consistency, which the later luminous materials (LumiNova, SuperLumiNova and Chromalight) will never be able to offer.
The 16570 is the “neo-vintage” watch par excellence: it combines the appeal of vintage (finely sculpted satin-finished lugs, a slim and balanced case, tritium patina) with the strengths of modern watches (scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, robust water-resistance, ultra-reliable caliber 3185).
The Oyster case, 40 mm in diameter, is in excellent overall condition. The Rolex Oyster bracelet, ref. 78790, is original, itself also produced in 1997. Fully serviced and running perfectly, this watch is ideal to wear to enjoy the charm of vintage without sacrificing day-to-day practicality. In our view, it is the best Rolex for summer.

Introduced in 1989 as the successor to Ref. 16550, the reference 16570 perpetuates the founding principle of the Explorer II: an independent 24-hour hand paired with a fixed graduated bezel, allowing one to tell day from night. Originally designed for speleologists and explorers operating without natural light, the Explorer II has, over the decades, become a tool watch of quiet charm, prized for its legibility, robustness and 40 mm format.

The 16570 today occupies a unique place in the Rolex universe: it is a “neo-vintage” watch offering the best of both worlds. On the vintage side, finely drawn satin-finished lugs, a slim and balanced case, and – above all on the earliest examples – a tritium patina that contemporary watches will never develop. On the modern side, a sapphire crystal, water-resistance to 100 metres and the automatic caliber 3185, an ultra-reliable movement. It is precisely this combination that makes the tritium 16570 references so desirable.

The example we are offering dates from 1997 (serial number U29xxx) and bears the “SWISS – T < 25” marking at 6 o’clock, confirming the use of tritium. The very last tritium Explorer II watches were produced between 1997 and 1998, before the switch to LumiNova. It is the examples from this final production phase that are the most sought-after: they offer the best compromise between the watch’s reasonable age and the irreplaceable character of the tritium patina.

And indeed, the patina of this example is remarkable. The markers and hands have all turned uniformly toward a warm eggshell tone of great visual richness – a perfect consistency that is at once a sign of authenticity and a visual pleasure that LumiNova/SuperLumiNova, which remains white indefinitely, will never be able to offer.

The Oyster case in steel, 40 mm, is in excellent overall condition. The Rolex Oyster bracelet Ref. 78790 with 501 B end links is original, itself also produced in 1997. The caliber 3185 has undergone a complete service and runs perfectly. An excellent example!

This Rolex Explorer II reference 16570 is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The white dial is in perfect condition. The luminous material on the hands and markers (tritium-based) has developed a superb beige/eggshell patina, warm and uniform.
The Oyster case in steel retains its original proportions and finishes, with crisp demarcations between brushed/satin surfaces and bright/mirror-polished surfaces, and visible chamfers.
The original Rolex Oyster bracelet in steel, reference 78790, 501 B end links, Z12 clasp code (produced in December 1997), is in excellent condition.
The automatic mechanical movement, a Rolex caliber 3135 renowned for its exceptional reliability and certified as a “Superlative Chronometer”, has undergone a complete service by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs within the strictest tolerances.
An excellent example of the reference 16570, which stands out, beyond its state of preservation, for its patina.

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