Rolex Explorer II 226570

It’s probably one of the most imaginative Rolex watches out there, the Explorer II ‘Orange Hand’ The watch was initially developed in 1971 by Rolex as a true tool watch, a watch for Speleologist and worn by adventurers and mountaineers. The watch that was part of several missions on the Arctic and Antarctic, and which complimented the wrist of the King of Cool: Steve McQueen! At birth, the Explorer II was a true precision tool for scientists who were partially dependent on the watch worn on their wrist. Such as the Speleologists whom were forced to spend days on end underground to carry out various studies, by doing so they quickly lost the sense of day and night. At that moment, the Explorer II was a useful and very welcome tool. Thanks to the steel 24-hour bezel and bright orange hand, one could easy determine in which part of the day they lived, and therefore maintain a healthy work and sleep schedule, which was not only important for human health, but also for the various studies and missions.

The reference 226570 which we’re offering here is the latest and most modern version of the ‘Orange Hand’ Explorer, and of course some parts of the design have changed since the 1970’s. The watch has grown a bit, the diameter of the case now measures 42mm. The hour-markers have also grown larger, and are now filled with Rolex’s patented, blue Chromalight luminescent material, which guarantees a very good readability in low light and dark conditions. The hands have become larger and are now black, and also filled with that blue Chromalight. Those black hands by the way, provide excellent and immediate readability against that polar white background – Excellent. The Oyster bracelet is of course also the latest and equipped with the Easylink adjustment in the folding clasp, quickly shortening or lengthening the bracelet by 5mm. Rolex’s steel watch cases, bracelets and bezels, are manufactured from so-called Oystersteel. Rolex created this Oystersteel, which corresponds to the 904L steel grade, and these alloys are mostly utilized in the high-tech, aerospace, and chemical industries, where strong corrosion resistance is required. Oystersteel is extremely durable, has an excellent sheen when polished, and remains gorgeous even under the harshest conditions.

This Rolex Explorer II 226570 was sold by a Rolex retailer in Amsterdam in November of 2021. The watch is accompanied by the original boxes, manual booklet, warranty card, white reference tag, green warranty tag and a spare link (so full length bracelet). The movement was fully inspected by our Rolex certified watchmakers and still runs according the COSC specifications. She will be sold with another three years of international Rolex warranty.

reference: 226570
case number: scrambled no.
year of production: 2021
case diameter: 42mm
movement: automatic winding, Rolex caliber 3235
box and papers: yes, full set

Price: € 10.950,-