NOS Rolex Explorer GMT Ref. 16570 ‘Polar’ tritium incomplete hand set

Although the Explorer II debuted in the 1970s with the Reference 1655 (1971-1984), it wasn't until the 1980s release of the Reference 16550 that Rolex offered a white-dialed 'Polar' version. The Reference 16550 replaced the Caliber 1575 from the previous model with the newer Caliber 3085 and featured a redesigned handset to match the other Professional Series models. The Caliber 3085 allowed the 24-hour hand to be adjusted independently from the hour hand for the first time, making the Explorer II capable of displaying a second time zone rather than just a day/night indication.

 

The Reference 16570 was the natural continuation of the 16550 design, with the same general features: it maintained the 39mm case, elongated GMT hand, 100m water resistance rating, and fixed 24-hour bezel of the previous generation — however, white gold surrounds gave way to black surrounds on 'Polar' variants. Certain later examples of the 16570 did away with lug holes for the bracelet attachment for the first time (a 'no-holes' case), while most of the earlier versions featured the punched case design ('holey' lugs). Punched lugs began to disappear completely from the Rolex catalog around the turn of the 21st century.

 

The earliest 16570s had tritium lume, but by 1998, Rolex had shifted to non-radioactive Luminova.

Offered for sale here is an incomplete handset (missing the minutes hand) of the Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 ‘Polar’.

 

It is preserved in New Old Stock (N.O.S.) condition, featuring a lovely creamy and matching patina hue. The tritium lume glows as it should when exposed under UV light.