Introduction

This watch can handle rough conditions thanks to its 42mm Oyster Perpetual Explorer II Watch 226570 case, fixed 24-hour bezel, and choice of white or black face. It has an advanced Caliber 3285 movement that can keep time in two different time zones and has a power backup of about 70 hours. The iconic form and long-lasting construction of the Rolex Explorer II 226570 make it the perfect companion for people who like to do unusual things.

The Explorer II was the first  Explorer in 1971, and its latest version was released in 2021. The estimated price of the Rolex Explorer II Watch range is $10,600.00.

Overview

• Hour hand
• Minute hand
• Seconds hand
• 24-hour hand
• Date window
• 24-hour graduated fixed bezel

• Twinlock winding crown with double waterproofness system

  

Detailed Specifications

• Model case
  • Oyster, 42 mm, Oystersteel
• Oyster architecture
  • Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back, and winding crown
• Diameter
  • 42 mm
• Dial
  • White
• Bracelet
  • Oyster, three-piece solid links
• Movement
  • Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, GMT function
• Caliber
  • 3285, Manufacture Rolex
• Precision
  • -2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Wearing the Watch For the First Time

Before being worn for the first time, or if it has stopped, a Rolex watch must be wound manually in order to function correctly and precisely. To wind the watch manually, unscrew the winding crown completely, then turn it several times clockwise. (Turning in the other direction has no effect.) A minimum of 25 turns is required for adequate partial winding. The watch will then be wound automatically as long as it is worn on the wrist. Carefully screw the crown back down against the case to ensure waterproofness.

The green seal accompanying your Rolex watch is a symbol of its status as a Superlative Chronometer. This exclusive designation attests that it has successfully undergone a series of specific final controls by Rolex in its own laboratories in addition to the official COSC certification of its movement. This unique testing of its chronometric precision, waterproofness, self-winding and reliability pushes back the boundaries of performance and makes Rolex a benchmark for excellence in mechanical watches. For further information, please visit https://rolex.com 

Oyster Perpetual Explorer II

• The Oyster Perpetual Explorer II is the watch of choice for explorers. Thanks to a 24-hour display by means of an additional hand and a graduated fixed bezel, the watch allows the wearer to distinguish daytime from night-time hours or to read the time in a second time zone. Its 42 mm case, waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness. 
• The easy-to-read dial features Chromalight hour markers and hands, which are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow when in darkness. Its winding crown is protected by a crown guard that is an integral part of the middle case.  The sapphire crystal, with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock, is virtually scratchproof. 
• The Oyster Perpetual Explorer II is equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement entirely manufactured by Rolex. 
• The Oyster Perpetual Explorer II features an Oyster bracelet with an Oysterlock safety clasp and the Easylink comfort extension link.

Distinction Between Day and Night or Second Time Zone

The Explorer II’s additional 24-hour hand circles the dial once every 24 hours and is used in combination with the graduated fixed bezel. Orange and arrow-shaped, it enables the wearer to either see the time in 24-hour format – which is particularly useful in areas where it is difficult to distinguish between day and night, such as underground or in polar regions – or to read the time in a second time zone.

When the Explorer II shows the time in 24-hour format, the 24-hour hand points to the graduated bezel, allowing the wearer to clearly distinguish daytime from night-time, while the conventional hands indicate the hours and minutes.

If the Explorer II displays the time in two time zones simultaneously, the reference time is indicated on the graduated bezel by the 24-hour hand. Local time is shown by the conventional hour and minute hands. In both cases, the minutes are always displayed by the conventional minute hand.

Description

Designed for adventure, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer II Watch 226570 is a strong and reliable watch. The case of the watch is 42 mm and made of Oystersteel, which doesn't rust and has a matte finish. The watch's bezel only goes in one way and has a 24-hour scale on it to help you keep track of a second-time zone. The dial of the watch comes in either black or white, and the big luminescent hour markers and hands make it easy to read in low light. The movement of the Explorer II has Rolex's Parachrom hairspring, which is very resistant to shocks and changes in temperature. The case of the watch has Twinlock crowns, which make it waterproof up to 100 meters. The Oystersteel bracelet of the watch has Rolex's Oysterlock safety clasp, which keeps it from opening by mistake

Using Your Watch

Setting the Watch

Screwed-down Position (Position 0)

The crown is completely screwed down against the case. When the crown is in this position, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer II is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet).

Manual Winding (Position 1)

The crown is unscrewed. To wind the watch manually, turn the crown clockwise; turning in the other direction has no effect. When setting the watch for the first time or after the watch has stopped, complete a minimum of 25 turns for partial winding.

After every use, carefully screw the crown back down against the case to guarantee the waterproofness. Return the crown to position 1 and apply light pressure on it while screwing it down clockwise against the case. The crown should never be unscrewed underwater.

Time with Distinction Between Day and Night

Setting the 24-hour Hand (Crown in Position 3)

To set the 24-hour hand, follow the steps in the order given:

• Unscrew the crown and then pull it out to the second notch. The seconds hand is stopped, allowing you to set the time to the precise second.

• Set the 24-hour hand (against the 24-hour graduated bezel) and the minute hand (against the dial) by turning the crown in either direction. Setting the 24-hour hand also moves the conventional hour hand. This hour hand must, therefore, be set separately.

  

Time in 24-hour format (distinction between day and night): 22:10

After every use, carefully screw the crown back down against the case to guarantee the waterproofness. Return the crown to position 1 and apply light pressure on it while screwing it down clockwise against the case. The crown should never be unscrewed underwater.

Setting the Date and the Hour Hand (Crown in Position 2)

To set the date and the hour hand, follow the steps in the order given:

• Pull out the crown to the first notch.
• Set the date by turning the crown in either direction. The hour hand moves in increments of one hour. The date changes when the hour hand passes midnight, in either direction, after two full turns around the dial.
• Set the hour hand by turning the crown in either direction. The hour hand moves in increments of one hour. Be aware of the difference between noon and midnight (the date changes as the hour hand passes midnight).

• Push in and then screw down the crown.

  

Time via conventional hands: 10:10 am. Time in 24-hour format (distinction between day and night): 22:10

After every use, carefully screw the crown back down against the case to guarantee the waterproofness. Return the crown to position 1 and apply light pressure on it while screwing it down clockwise against the case. The crown should never be unscrewed underwater.

Dual Time Zone Function

Setting the Reference Time (Crown in Position 3)

To set the reference time, follow the steps in the order given:

• Unscrew the crown and then pull it out to the second notch. The seconds hand is stopped, allowing you to set the time to the precise second.
• Set the reference time using the 24-hour hand (against the graduations on the bezel) and the minute hand (against the graduations on the dial) by turning the crown in either direction. Setting the reference time also moves the conventional hour hand (local time). 

• For this reason, the reference time must be set before setting the local time (see step 2).

  

Reference time (Geneva) in 24-hour format: 10:10

After every use, carefully screw the crown back down against the case to guarantee the waterproofness. Return the crown to position 1 and apply light pressure on it while screwing it down clockwise against the case. The crown should never be unscrewed underwater.

Setting the Date and the Local Time (Crown in Position 2)

To set the date and the local time, follow the steps in the order given:

• Pull out the crown to the first notch.
• Set the date by turning the crown in either direction. The hour hand moves in increments of one hour. The date changes when the hour hand passes midnight, in either direction, after two full turns around the dial.
• Set the local time by turning the crown in either direction. The hour hand moves in increments of one hour. Be aware of the difference between noon and midnight (the date changes as the hour hand passes midnight).
• Push in and then screw down the crown.

The local time is identical to the reference time (24-hour hand) when the wearer is located in their reference zone. It can be easily adjusted when travelling.

• Local time (Geneva) via conventional hands: 10:10 am
• Reference time (Geneva) in 24-hour format: 10:10

After every use, carefully screw the crown back down against the case to guarantee the waterproofness. Return the crown to position 1 and apply light pressure on it while screwing it down clockwise against the case. The crown should never be unscrewed underwater.

Adjusting the Local Time (Crown in Position 2)

To adjust the local time only (without affecting the 24-hour reference time display), follow the steps in the order given:

• Unscrew the crown and then pull it out to the first notch.
• Set the local time by turning the crown in either direction. The hour hand moves in increments of one hour. The date is linked to local time and changes automatically when the hour hand passes midnight.

• Push in and then screw down the crown.

  

Local time (New York) via conventional hands: 4:10 am

Reference time (Geneva) in 24-hour format: 10:10

After every use, carefully screw the crown back down against the case to guarantee the waterproofness. Return the crown to position 1 and apply light pressure on it while screwing it down clockwise against the case. The crown should never be unscrewed underwater.

Easylink Comfort Extension Link

To ensure optimal comfort when wearing your watch, Rolex created the Easylink comfort extension link. Its exclusive design comprises a link that is pulled out or folded back on itself to adjust the length of the bracelet by approximately 5 mm, without the need for tools.

Adjusting from the short position to the long position

Adjusting from the long position to the short position

Oyster Perpetual Explorer II Watch 226570 Troubleshooting

• If the watch stops working, first ensure that it is wound properly. 
• If the watch is still not working, it may need a battery replacement or maintenance service. It is recommended to have the watch serviced by an authorized Rolex dealer to maintain its warranty and performance.

Rolex Service

Caring for Your Rolex

Thanks to Rolex expertise, your watch will require very little day-to-day care. You can help preserve its lustre by cleaning it occasionally with a microfibre cloth. You can also wash the case and bracelet from time to time using soapy water and a soft brush. After wearing your watch in the sea, it is important to rinse it with fresh water to remove any salt and sand deposits.

Before cleaning your watch, always ensure that the crown is screwed down properly against the case to guarantee waterproofness.

Pros & Cons

• Pro: The Rolex Explorer II Watch is a highly reliable and accurate timepiece designed for adventure.
• Pro: The watch's unidirectional 24-hour bezel is useful for keeping track of a second-time zone.
• Pro: The watch is made of high-quality materials and is built to last.
• Con: The watch's price point may be too high for some consumers.
• Con: The watch's large case size may not be suitable for everyone.

Customer Reviews

The Oyster Perpetual Explorer II Watch 226570 has received positive reviews from customers, with many praising its durability and accuracy. However, some customers have noted that the watch's price point is high. The most common complaint is the difficulty in setting the 24-hour hand.