{"product_id":"1996-rolex-explorer-ii-polar-tritium-papers-ref-16570","title":"1996 Rolex Explorer II Polar Tritium - Papers (Ref. 16570)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWorth A Read\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1075\"\u003eHistory and Significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"3871\" data-start=\"3453\"\u003eIntroduced as a purpose-built tool watch for cave explorers, scientists, and adventurers working in environments where distinguishing day from night became difficult, the Explorer II has always favored function over flash. Fixed bezels replaced rotating ones. Large luminous markers prioritized legibility. Even the additional 24-hour hand existed solely to solve a practical problem rather than add visual complexity.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4312\" data-start=\"3873\"\u003eThe reference 16570 refined that philosophy into what many enthusiasts now consider the definitive Explorer II. Produced for more than two decades, it balanced the rugged charm of earlier references with modern reliability while retaining proportions that many collectors feel Rolex has never improved upon. At 40mm, it wears effortlessly, and the clean white Polar dial creates a personality entirely different from its black counterpart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4712\" data-start=\"4314\"\u003eFor tritium enthusiasts, early 1996 examples occupy a particularly desirable place in the production run. They represent the final years before Rolex transitioned away from tritium luminous material, allowing these watches to develop the soft creamy patina collectors actively seek today. Combined with an untouched case and original accessories, they have become increasingly difficult to replace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1815\"\u003eWriter’s Thoughts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4736\" data-end=\"4886\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eWe probably inspect more five-digit Rolex sports watches than anything else, and every once in a while one immediately separates itself from the rest. \u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis Explorer II did exactly that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4924\" data-end=\"5262\"\u003eThe unpolished case still has the sharp lines that define a truly honest Rolex, while the creamy tritium lume has aged exactly the way we'd hope to see on a mid-1990s watch. The dial remains beautifully preserved without the spotting or damage that can occasionally appear on Polar examples, allowing the warm lume to stand out even more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5264\" data-end=\"5607\"\u003eReference 16570 is accompanied by its original papers and red tag, making it especially attractive for collectors looking for an untouched example. An original Rolex box can easily be added to complete the package, but the watch itself is already everything we'd want to see from a 1996 Explorer II. It has simply been preserved the right way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2167\" data-end=\"2184\"\u003eOur Promise\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2462\"\u003eEvery watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6016\" data-end=\"6026\"\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6036\" data-end=\"6046\"\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explorer II\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6062\" data-end=\"6071\"\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1996\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6080\" data-end=\"6098\"\u003eCase Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless Steel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6118\" data-end=\"6132\"\u003eCase Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6141\" data-end=\"6150\"\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polar with tritium lume\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6178\" data-end=\"6191\"\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Automatic GMT\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6209\" data-end=\"6228\"\u003eStrap\/Bracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Rolex Oyster bracelet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6263\" data-end=\"6280\"\u003eBuckle\/Clasp:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Rolex Oyster clasp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6312\" data-end=\"6325\"\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original papers, red tag\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eCondition\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:81074a98-e005-47da-8b29-7a7bed465172-39\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:81074a98-e005-47da-8b29-7a7bed465172-39\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:81074a98-e005-47da-8b29-7a7bed465172-39\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-24\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-conversation-screenshot-content=\"\" class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"8c4df486-e3c2-4165-b1d5-4d45c09420dc\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-6a4c6275-dbcc-83ea-85b2-61b2edb87c26-5\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-6a4c6275-dbcc-83ea-85b2-61b2edb87c26-5\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-6a4c6275-dbcc-83ea-85b2-61b2edb87c26-5\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-48\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-15 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-conversation-screenshot-content=\"\" class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"ea8972b5-807d-4608-a76b-30651a32c71d\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-conversation-screenshot-content=\"\" class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"c955aa12-c950-4f5e-8ff4-ce6ff3c11e77\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6368\" data-end=\"6377\"\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unpolished case retaining crisp factory edges with light honest wear throughout.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6462\" data-end=\"6471\"\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Polar dial in excellent condition with no visible signs of damage or deterioration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6568\" data-end=\"6578\"\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original hands with attractive creamy tritium lume matching the dial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6652\" data-end=\"6664\"\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean with light signs of careful use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6707\" data-end=\"6726\"\u003eStrap\/Bracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Oyster bracelet showing normal signs of honest wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6792\" data-end=\"6809\"\u003eBuckle\/Clasp:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Rolex Oyster clasp in excellent working condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48930974236855,"sku":null,"price":9300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/8391\/6727\/files\/DSF9584.jpg?v=1785187826","url":"https:\/\/huntingtoncompany.com\/products\/1996-rolex-explorer-ii-polar-tritium-papers-ref-16570","provider":"Huntington Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}