Description
In the 1950s, Rolex sponsored many expeditions in the Himalayas (in particular) by equipping its members with its watches.
The objective is simple: to submit its models to the test of real extreme conditions in order to optimize the functionality and resistance thanks to the feedback of adventurers who wore them.
This is how the Explorer model appeared in the Rolex catalog in 1953.
It is necessary to wait until 1971 to discover the birth of the Rolex Explorer II (ref. 1655) whose characteristics is to be equipped with a GMT function served at the same time by the addition of a dedicated hand and by the addition of a bezel graduated on 24 hours, the combination of both allowing the display of three time zones.
The large GMT hand as well as the Explorer II marking at 12 o’clock on the dial keep the same format and the same orange color – the other markings of the dial remain identical to those of the previous generation.
Keeping its date aperture at 3 o’clock overhung by a Cyclops magnifying glass, the Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570 ‘Polar’ keeps the same indexes and hands as those of its elder sister, the Explorer II black dial version still displays polished gold indexes and hands.
On offer today is an example from 2025 , in Excellent Condition with a full box and papers.
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