Rolex “Full-Set 16570 Chicchi di Mais” Explorer II

Description

Up for grabs is a lovely Rolex Explorer II, circa 1991, Reference 16570, with white tritium “polar” dial.  The reference 16570 is transitional from the original Explorer II made with sapphire crystal, reference 16550, with an upgraded movement (Cal. 3185).  This particular example comes complete, with its original Rolex box, booklets, and “punched” Guarantee Certificate, originally sold in Hong Kong in 1993.

This Rolex Explorer II is in amazing vintage condition, one of the nicest we’ve seen.  The case appears unpolished, with normal wear, and still shows well-defined original beveled edges; if it was ever polished, it was done very lightly.  The “Chicchi di Mais” (Italian for “corn kernels”, referring to the lume color that this model ages to) dial is immaculate, with no marks, scratches, or flaws.  Further, the original tritium lume is present on both dial and hands (almost never seen, most are color-matched and do not naturally age the same color as the dial), aged to a nice light dark yellow color.  Lastly, the watch comes fitted on a Rolex Oyster 78360 bracelet with 501B endlinks, and has 12 full links with no stretch.