Okay, what a journey. I have loved all my Omegas and eventually landed my grail, the 2500 XL Planet Ocean back in 2016. Too bad the bloody thing kept becoming magnetized when travelling internationally! Heartbreaking. So I sold it. It was the only time I took a loss on an Omega (I had always bought pre-owned).

Long story short, I purchased the new SM300 Pro last July and it's fantastic. For me they knocked it out of the park. But I also fell in love with the older Explorer II after hanging out with a friend who owned one. I wore it for a few days and knew I was in trouble. I was going to have to find one for myself.

Fast forward to today and I finally found the deal I liked. A 16570 with the cal. 3186 (parachrom hairspring for better anti-magnetic properties), box/papers/cards included. Unpolished. It was fast by a single second at first, but has settled in to be in sync with my two G-Shocks. I am sure that will change over time, but clearly it's running well.

Before I fell for the Explorer II the Rolex I had truly lusted after was the Batman, but once it was replaced with the Batgirl and prices went stupid loony I knew I was out. No need to go into the details. I simply moved on and that is when I had the chance to spend time with the Explorer. You never truly know what you feel until you feel it on your wrist. For the record, I did try on a few 42mm Polars. They just didn't sit well with me. I disliked the orange hand as well as the strange top heavy feeling of the larger case.

The 39mm 16570 was the sweet spot for me and the caliber 3186 would give me piece of mind while traveling. I also liked the fact that it had solid end links, the gorgeous engraving in the case rehaut and screws over pins in the links. Those modern touches add a lot of class. The one element I will miss is the 42mm's superior clasp with the easy adjustment link. Nothing is perfect.

I am now done. In fact, I may sell a number of my lower end watches that are collecting dust. The Polar, SM300 Pro, SM200 Pre-Bond quartz, my G-Shocks and Granddad's WWII era Bulova make for a nice collection.

 

Love it..! Fantastic collection you have.

I also recently acquired my grail - black face 16570. It’s been my grail for as long as I’ve been into watches. Such a fantastic, understated watch.

wear it daily and in good health.

 

Thanks. It is definitely going to be my daily.

 

Thanks for sharing your story with us! I like your taste very much. Congratulations for that gorgeous 16570.
The EX II has also been my holy grail watch since ever. Same like OmeGez, the black 5 digit one.
I hope that you never loose the love for yours.
By the way, I have been a victim of magnetized watches since 28 years, since I started working in the airline business (I am grounded since 1 month now due covid19), so I understand you TOO WELL. That was one decisive argument to opt for the latest PO a few months ago.

Wear it safe and in good health.

 

Congratulations on your purchase, It looks great, almost new in fact. I prefer the white dial variant. I think you have a sleeper there as the old case 3186 movement watches will be highly collectible in 20 + years time.
Providing we are all still into watches in the same way then.
Enjoy

 

Explorador, I wish the Planet Ocean's 2500 movement had been anti-magnetic. I'd still own it! The newer ones are just gargantuan on my wrist so I had to pass. Perhaps if I am running over with money I can buy another one and just wear it in daily life outside of travel. Until then, the Explorer is THE watch for me. Money well spent. Wearing it non-stop.

 

Congrats. A lovely piece. On my list.

 

Congrats! I seriously regret selling a minty 16570 Polar 4 or 5 years back. I paid $3900 USD for it, sold it for $4200 (I think) because I wasn't wearing it and thought 39mm was too small

 

And I wish I would have chosen a newer 3186 caliber instead of my 3185. You corrected my mistake! The exII looks very good on you.
By the way, guess why I chose this nick for all watch forums.

Greetings from Marcelo

 

Why?

 

Because the Explorer was THE watch that "infected" me with the watch-addicted virus.

 

Got this beauty recently. Didn't like the cyclop so this was a real find for me.

 

Aftermarket crystal?

 

Looking great! I also recently added it to my list... Can I ask what price you got it for?
Cheers

 

I'm not actually sure. Rollieworks up in NorCal did the work and I believe they use Rolex parts.

 

Congrats on the Rolex.. Such a good model that.. Looks fab on a grey nato too if ever you fancy “dressing it down”..!

 

@Tri-national-man what year is yours, with that different oyster bracelet?

 

A very under the radar watch. I love it, you can wear it in almost all situations.

 

The polar 16570 is a class act. I purchased mine in 2011 when the 216570 came out. It is a 3186 and keeps time like a champ. It is my favorite of a large enough collection. Pic with an IPhone, could be better.

 

The polar GMT is one of the most underrated Rolex sports models out there. I remember a few years back they could be picked up for almost nothing... Seems the market has caught up the last year or so.