Rolex Explorer II 226570 Black Dial

About This Watch

The Rolex Explorer II 226570 with black dial offers a more stealthy, professional alternative to the white "Polar" variant. The black dial with luminescent Chromalight hour markers provides excellent contrast and nighttime legibility, making it particularly suited to cave explorers and nighttime adventurers for whom the watch was originally designed. The bright orange 24-hour hand stands out dramatically against the black dial, making the AM/PM indication instantly readable. This black-dial configuration traces its lineage back to the iconic ref. 1655, the first Explorer II introduced in 1971 with its distinctive orange 24-hour hand, a design cue that Rolex has maintained across all subsequent generations. The 2021 update brought the caliber 3285 with an independently adjustable local hour hand, giving the Explorer II full GMT functionality for the first time. The 42mm Oystersteel case has been slightly redesigned with thinner lugs and an updated bracelet with more polished surfaces, giving this generation a more refined appearance. Among Rolex sport models, the Explorer II remains one of the most under-the-radar options, frequently available closer to retail than the Submariner or GMT-Master II. Collectors appreciate it as a genuine tool watch with real-world utility.