{"product_id":"rolex-explorer-ii-as01589","title":"Rolex Explorer II","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Explorer II is definitely a timepiece for the collector who craves something a little \u003cem\u003edifferent\u003c\/em\u003e from a sport model Rolex. Released in 1971 as a follow-up to the original Explorer made famous by mountaineers in the 1950s, the Explorer II utilized a larger Oyster Case design more in line with the sports models already offered (the \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/shop.analogshift.com\/collections\/watches\/products\/rolex-submariner-3\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Rolex Submariner Reference 5513\"\u003eSubmariner \u003c\/a\u003eand \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/shop.analogshift.com\/collections\/watches\/products\/rolex-gmt-master-pepsi-1675\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Rolex GMT Master\"\u003eGMT\u003c\/a\u003e). Featuring a four hand display with a large and distinctive 24-hour pointer hand, the Explorer II was essentially a GMT Master with one notable difference: a fixed steel bezel was installed in place of the characteristic two-tone from the aviator's model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason for this fixed bezel was the target demographic: speleologists--subterranean explorers. This hearty breed of explorer spends days on end underneath the surface of the earth, without seeing the sky, and are prone to lose track of daytime hours. The 24-hour hand would point to the appropriate place on the fixed 24-Hour bezel indicating whether it was AM or PM. Essentially, while the original Explorer was designed to go into the clouds, the Explorer II was designed to descend into darkness. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the Explorer II was produced in far fewer numbers than its Submariner and GMT counterparts, it has been in constant production since its inception, with several modifications and improvements made through the years. This particular example is a Reference 16570 and dates from the mid-1990s. With case proportions of the original 1655 model, this generation was fitted with an improved movement that offered a 12 Hour hand that could be independently set (that also doubled as a semi-quickset date function). It also features a sapphire crystal and a heavy duty Oyster Bracelet with flip lock clasp, enhancing the daily wearability significantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 16570 also did away with the oversized orange 24 Hour hand that was the signature of its predecessor, but also a polarizing design element. In essence, this model offers all the usability of a second time zone without the loud colors of a GMT, and a wrist presence similar to the far more common Submariner. If you're looking for a great modern daily you can bang around and depend on, but want something just \u003cem\u003ea little\u003c\/em\u003e different than every other Submariner at the water cooler, this is your watch!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21702937729,"sku":null,"price":3200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/Rolex_Explorer_II_16570_AS01589_1.jpg?v=1468270130","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/rolex-explorer-ii-as01589","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}