
'Swiss Only'
1999 Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 'Swiss Only' Full Set
Reference: 16570
Serial: A257xxx
Year: 1999
Case: All stainless steel
Dimensions: 40mm excluding crown
Function: GMT and Date
Caliber: Rolex cal. 3185 Automatic
Strap: Rolex Oyster 78790 A stainless steel bracelet with 801 end links and date code R9
Crystal: Sapphire
Box/Papers: Yes/Yes
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 designs, 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, having a rare transitional period, in 1998 (A and U series) where the tritium dials that read Swiss T<25 changed to luminova dials reading SWISS only, hence the nickname ‘SWISS only’. Lather then, in 1999, and up to today, all dials now read SWISS MADE.
The example offered for sale here is a luminova ‘SWISS only’ dial Ref. 16570 from 1999.
It features a flawless black dial with white gold hour marker surroundings that, along with the popping red GMT hand, make a lovely contrast.
The 40mm stainless steel case remains worn, thick, and sharp, preserving factory finishes and signs of wear. The case back remains in the same condition.
It comes fitted on the original 20mm Rolex Oyster 78790 A stainless steel bracelet with 801 end links and date code R9 that shows signs of use but little stretch.
The watch is running well and keeping time, although service history is unknown.
It is presented as a full set which includes outer box, inner box, manuals, calendar, wallet, hang tag, and stamped guarantee papers showing it was sold in December 1999 by a Rolex retailer in Singapore.
Macros of dial and case are available under request.