The Rolex Explorer II “Polar”: The Coolest Adventure Machine You Could Ever Win

If watches had personalities, the Rolex Explorer II Polar would be the rugged-but-charming adventurer who rides in on a snowstorm, saves your life, then casually tells you the exact time in two time zones. It’s not flashy. It’s not trying to get attention. It simply exists as one of the most capable and iconic tool watches Rolex has ever built.

Winning one?
That’s like the universe handing you a badge that says:
“Certified Explorer—Looks Great in Extreme Conditions and Brunch Settings.”

Whether you’re new to the Explorer II or already know it by its cult nickname “The Polar Explorer,” here’s the fun, factual, feature-packed guide you didn’t know you needed.

A Quick History Lesson (Featuring Caves, Scientists & Fantastic Facial Hair)

The Rolex Explorer II didn’t start its life as a luxury symbol—it started in 1971, deep underground, strapped to the wrists of cave explorers. These brave humans wandered in darkness for days, which meant losing track of AM and PM was more than inconvenient—it could literally disrupt an expedition.

Rolex stepped in with the reference 1655, a watch featuring:

A massive orange arrow (“Freccione” or Big Arrow) hand
A 24-hour steel bezel
A tough, purpose-built attitude

It wasn’t created to impress people at dinner parties.
It was made so you didn’t accidentally think 2 AM was 2 PM and try to eat lunch in the dark.

Since then, the watch has evolved dramatically:

Explorer II Milestones (Rewritten for Maximum Digestibility)

1971 – Ref. 1655: The original cave dweller. Chunky orange hand. Pure tool-watch energy.
1985 – Ref. 16550: Debut of the now-legendary white “Polar” dial + sapphire crystal + independent GMT hand.
1989 – Ref. 16570: Now a modern classic—40mm size, better movement, 20+ years of production. A collector darling.
2011 – Ref. 216570: Bigger at 42mm, beefier lugs, and the glorious return of the orange hand.
2021 – Ref. 226570: Today’s king. New calibre 3285, refined lugs, brighter lume, and the smoothest movement yet.

The Explorer II has climbed mountains, explored caves, crossed continents, and survived fashion trends.
It’s the reliable action hero who never pulls focus—because it doesn’t need to.

What Makes the Polar Dial So Addictive?

The Polar dial (the crisp white version) is one of the most instantly recognizable Rolex designs ever made. Here’s why collectors go wild for it:

The white background + black PVD-coated markers = lume that glows like a lightsaber.
It gives the watch a clean, icy look that stands out in a sea of black-dial sports models.
It’s one of the few Rolex sports watches that looks equally good with a suit and hiking boots.
And—this is important—it photographs ridiculously well.
Moreover, its known as the Steve McQueen - although he really wore a submariner and not one of these, Rolex’s marketing department did a great job in making the world believe it was his fav!

If Instagram had a favourite Rolex, it would probably be the Polar.

Design & Features: What Makes This Watch Such a Beast?

The Case

Modern Explorer II models are 42mm, crafted entirely in Rolex’s ultra-tough Oystersteel—basically stainless steel with superhero powers. Vintage references come in 39–40mm for the purists.

You get:

Screw-down crown
100m water resistance
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
A case designed for disaster-proof reliability

The Bezel

Unlike the GMT-Master II, the Explorer II uses a fixed, brushed 24-hour bezel.
Translation:
It’s built for function, not flirtation.

This bezel + the 24-hour hand lets you:

Tell day from night
Track a second time zone
Look incredibly competent on international flights

The Dial Options

Polar White or Black—both iconic, both practical.

White = adventure vibes, extreme legibility
Black = sleek, understated spy energy.

How It Wears: “Under-the-Radar Luxury” At Its Best

The Explorer II is the Rolex for people who want a luxury sports watch without shouting about it.

It’s durable enough for extreme environments.
Understated enough for the office.
Comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Fit Breakdown

40mm refs: sleek, versatile, perfect for smaller wrists
42mm refs: bold but surprisingly balanced

And the Polar dial?
It stands out in the best possible way—clean, bright, elegant, adventurous.

Investment Value: Spoiler—It’s Really Good

The Explorer II has quietly become one of the smartest buys in the Rolex world.

Here’s why:

Long production runs = many collectors chasing specific variants
Polar dials often command a premium
Values have steadily risen across all references
Pre-owned demand is high (hello, waitlists!)

No watch is a guaranteed investment, but the Explorer II has a decade-long track record of appreciating above retail on many references.

Fun Facts People Rarely Know

It was originally designed for speleologists—yes, that’s a real job.
Early Polar dials turned slightly cream-coloured over time and are now highly collectible.
The original 1655 looked so unusual that people thought only adventurers wore it… which made it even cooler.
Pierce Brosnan wore one in the 1980s (pre-Bond era).
The lume on modern models can glow all night after just a short charge.
The fixed bezel makes the Explorer II EXTREMELY hard to damage compared to rotating bezels.

Why Winning a Polar Explorer II Is Basically Winning the Lottery

Let’s break this down.

You’re not just winning a watch.
You’re winning:

A chunk of Rolex history
A tool watch originally built for explorers in total darkness
A luxury item that appreciates over time
A daily-wear, bombproof companion
A conversation starter that guarantees wrist envy

It’s the rare kind of prize that’s both wildly practical and instantly prestigious.

Plus, you can tell people,
“Oh this? It’s my Explorer II. Won it. No big deal.”
And watch their jaw drop.