Page Dimensions

Approx. 6 5/8" x 10" (16cm x 25cm)

Story and Details

A head-on shot of the black dial Explorer II Ref. 16570 takes center stage, along with a miniature schematic of the waterproof Twinlock crown, and a once solid bar of steel from which three Oyster cases have been cut out.

An ever-present theme of Rolex advertisements is featuring men of action. At the top of this ad, you see the silhouette of a lone climber against soaring, snowy Himalayan peaks. Perhaps this is Stephen Venables, one of four expert mountaineers on an 1988 expedition to climb Everest without oxygen. Only Venables would make it, becoming the first Brit in history to achieve such a feat.

The closest most of humanity will ever get to Everest is watching YouTube videos or documentaries. It takes a special breed of individual and tons of climbing experience (and financial resources) to attempt summiting the most-famous mountain in the world. And according to this brilliant ad, it also takes a watch built as tough as a seasoned climber - namely a Rolex. A vital piece of equipment “they can’t do without.”

Back to that watch… As unlikely as your are to bump into someone on the street who has faced Everest - and won. You’re just as unlikely to come across a black dial Explorer II in an ad. Of the dozens of Rolex Explorer II advertisements created since the introduction of the Ref. 16550, I’ve only come across a handful featuring the black dial. And it seems once the Ref. 216570 was introduced, the black dial version is no longer shown.

I’d say this has something to do with the “Polar” dial being more photogenic - aesthetically tying in so well with the icy imagery and winter scenes typically blanketing Explorer II ads. But also, it may be because the Explorer II with a white dial is simply more-distinguishable from other sports models, making it clear, even at a quick glance, you’re looking at an Explorer - not a GMT or Sub.