Collectors keep coming back to the Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial because it gets the basics right. You get a 42 mm Oystersteel case, a fixed 24-hour bezel, and a bright orange pointer that tracks a second time zone without extra steps. The matte dial cuts glare, Chromalight glows blue after dark, and the watch sits low, not top-heavy. In this guide, we keep things simple and specific so you can decide if the Explorer II Black Dial 216570 fits your wrist and lifestyle.
Watch our tour video about the Explorer II 216570 Black Dial.
Next, a quick look at how this model fits into the Explorer II story.
Explorer II Timeline and Milestones
Rolex introduced the Explorer II in 1971 for people working where daylight cues are unreliable, like caves and polar regions. The first reference, 1655, used a fixed 24-hour bezel with a bright pointer to make day and night obvious at a glance. On that early model the pointer moved with main time, so it served as an AM/PM guide rather than a true second time zone.
In 1985 Rolex released ref. 16550. The case grew to 40 mm, the crystal switched to sapphire, and the new caliber 3085 let you adjust the local hour hand independently. From this point the Explorer II could track two time zones, not just day and night – setting up the path to the Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial in 2011.
The Rolex Explorer II 216570 marked the model’s 40th anniversary, moved the case to 42 mm, and brought back the large orange arrow that collectors link to the 1970s original. Inside, Rolex used the caliber 3187 with a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock protection. Production ran until 2021, when Rolex introduced the 226570 as the next generation.
With the timeline set, let’s look at how the case and bracelet of the Explorer II Black Dial 216570 feel on the wrist day to day.
Oystersteel Case and Oyster Bracelet
The first thing you notice on the Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial is the finish. Everything you look at from the top is brushed: the lugs, the fixed 24-hour bezel with its radial grain, the full length of the Oyster bracelet, the clasp, and even the closed caseback. Turn it slightly and you see the contrast that keeps it from feeling flat. The case sides, crown, and the sides of the bracelet links are high-polished. From the front it looks matte, while from the side you catch a bit of shine.
On paper, the numbers read 42 mm across, about 12.3 mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of roughly 50 mm (about 53 mm including the end links) and 21 mm between the lugs. Water resistance is 100 m with a Twinlock screw-down crown. The bezel is fixed steel, engraved, and easy to read against the orange pointer. Because the case back is flat and the mid-case is broad, the watch spreads its weight well and sits steady on the wrist rather than feeling top heavy.
The Oyster bracelet keeps things straightforward. The links are solid and brushed on top, with high-polished sides. The Oysterlock clasp brings the expected security, and the built-in Easylink lets quick adjust an extra 5 mm of length in seconds without tools. On a 16 to 17 cm wrist, expect full coverage and a low profile that stays put through a workday or a flight.
So, the next question is how clearly you can read the Explorer II Black Dial 216570 at a glance. Let’s move to the dial.
Explorer II 216570 Black Dial Close-Up
Look at the dial and you see why many owners stick with the Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial. The surface is matte black, so the layout stays clear in bright outdoor light. Applied hour markers have white-gold surrounds and Chromalight fill that glows blue after dark. The hour and minute are classic Mercedes hands; their black-coated bases create a subtle floating look that keeps the center of the dial clean.
Your eye lands on the bright orange 24-hour hand. It works with the engraved 24-hour scale on the fixed bezel, so a second time zone is easy to read at a glance. Practical details round it out: a date at 3 o’clock under a Cyclops for quick reading, and an engraved inner ring that frames the display without clutter. This is the simple, high-contrast setup that gives the Explorer II Black Dial 216570 its everyday ease.
With the display set up for fast reading, let’s see how the movement supports travel and daily timing.
Caliber 3187 and How It Works
Inside the Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial is the caliber 3187, a self-winding movement made for this reference. It runs at 28,800 vph, carries Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer rating of −2/+2 seconds per day after casing, and has about 48 hours of reserve. For day-to-day stability it uses a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers, which help the watch keep steady time through temperature changes, light magnetism, and everyday knocks.
For travel, the layout is straightforward. The local hour hand moves in “one-hour steps”, which means it jumps exactly one hour at a time, forward or backward, without moving the minute or seconds hands. If you cross midnight, the date changes with it. The bright orange 24-hour hand stays set to home time and is read against the fixed 24-hour bezel. There is also a hacking seconds feature if you want to sync to the exact second. Together, these features make it a simple two-time-zone watch you can use daily.
Next, let’s talk about how the Explorer II 216570 Black Dial feels on the wrist.
How the 216570 Feels on the Wrist
On the wrist, the Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial settles in quickly and feels steady. The flat back and broad middle case help it sit close to the skin, so you notice stability rather than bulk. As you move through the day (typing, commuting, or lifting a carry-on) the watch stays planted and the 42 mm size feels controlled.
That sense of balance comes from the wide lugs and end links, which spread weight into the bracelet and keep the case stable. The height is about 12.3 mm, which keeps the profile low and lets it slide under most cuffs. Reading the time while walking is easy because the dial is open, the markers are large, and the orange hand is easy to spot without pausing.
For sizing, a little guidance helps. On a 16 to 17 cm wrist, the watch reaches close to the edges from lug to lug and still sits close to the wrist. On smaller wrists it can feel broad, so a try-on is smart. If 40 mm sports models look small on you, this 42 mm case with a 50 mm lug-to-lug offers more coverage without adding extra height.
If you want the quick numbers in one view, the table below sums up the key specs.
Explorer II 216570 Key Details
| Feature | Details |
| Model | Rolex Explorer II 216570 Black Dial |
| Production | 2011 to 2021 |
| Case material & finish | Oystersteel (904L). Brushed on lugs, bezel, bracelet, clasp, and caseback. High-polished case sides, crown, and bracelet sides. |
| Case size | 42 mm diameter |
| Thickness | 12.3 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 50 mm (about 53 mm including end links) |
| Lug width | 21 mm |
| Bezel | Fixed stainless steel with engraved 24-hour scale, radial brushing |
| Crown | Screw-down Twinlock |
| Water resistance | 100 meters |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops over the date |
| Caseback | Closed steel back, brushed |
| Bracelet | Oyster bracelet, solid links. Brushed on top, polished sides |
| Clasp | Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm extension |
| Dial | Matte black surface for clear reading in bright light |
| Hour markers | Applied white-gold surrounds with Chromalight lume |
| Hands | Mercedes hour and minute with black-coated bases; bright orange 24-hour hand |
| Lume | Chromalight, blue glow on hands and markers |
| Movement | Rolex caliber 3187, automatic, 28,800 vph, 48-hour reserve |
| Accuracy standard | Superlative Chronometer, −2/+2 seconds per day (after casing) |
| Key tech | Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, hacking seconds |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, date; local hour hand adjusts by whole hours; second time zone via 24-hour hand and fixed bezel |
| On-wrist feel | Sits close to the wrist, stable balance through wide lugs and end links, height around 12.3 mm helps under cuffs |
Should the Rolex 216570 Be Your Pick?
If you want a Rolex that keeps life simple, the Explorer II 216570 Black Dial is an easy watch to live with. It feels steady on the wrist, reads fast in any light, and brings a second time zone without fuss. It is the kind of piece you put on in the morning and forget about until you need it, whether you are at your desk, on a flight, or off the grid for a day.
Ask yourself what you value most. If you prefer clear time, practical travel use over extra features, and a look that works at the office and on weekends, this is the watch you’ll actually wear.
