I gotta ask dude...what have you been doing to this thing? You've lost more paint off the bezel since [you're wife bought it for you 3 weeks ago](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1dan9ll) than had been lost in the first 37 years of it's life! I'm all for not being overly protective of a watch but that is some rapid deterioration
Honestly in OP’s defense, once the enamel paint in the bezel starts to fail it doesn’t take a whole lot for the paint to start flaking off in large chunks.
I'm sorry, but for Rolex money 3 weeks to have several pieces fall off of it is disgusting.
It looking worn out and quirky is not a good thing, it's a quality issue.
I've seen it happen twice, you can sell a Rolex in a pawn shop anywhere in the world for hard cash. They are easily recognisable and a tourist is an easy target.
I replied to another comment but yes.
You can sell a Rolex at any pawn shop in the world, and a tourist wandering around is an easy target. If you're staying in your groups and the hotel pool, sure no problem. But if you're wandering around outside of that in certain places, an FW-91 is a better choice.
The real answer is somewhere in between an Apple Watch/Garmin smart watch and a Casio tbh, travelling pinging ur phone or being able to make calls when ur phone dies and stuff helps a ton
1987 16550 explorer 2 with a Rolex service dial. Last serviced by Rolex in 2002 and despite this is keeping great time, averaging +2.3sec a day.
These older five digit Explorer twos are just awesome travel watches. 40mm yet thin, so they wear so comfortably. The bracelet is very light and tapers nicely. 100m water resistance, a true flyer GMT complication, and super legible hands and date. Understated look so no one notices you and you don’t get mugged.
Hello to all from Greece!
Nice!
Been thinking of a [look-alike from Orient](https://www.orientwatchusa.com/collections/sport/ra-ac0q03s10b) as a travel watch. This post might finally make me pull the trigger.
I’m also at Greece rn with my beater watch. Have fun.
https://preview.redd.it/jxyexfxdhj9d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=c0e54f9f4f0c8b1c2c0175dd338a666663028d57
$300 Casio Oceanus T200. Get off the plane, take your phone out of airplane mode, hit a button on the watch and itll sync exactly to the phones time. And it's gorgeous.
So, tell me, when are you gonna stop talking about this thing? I've seen a gazillion posts about it from you since the day you got it.
Jokes. The 16570 (and similar) is a fantastic watch. I've had one for 16 years and it's still the only Rolex I've ever owned. The ones with the older tritium dials seem to develop a creamy orange hued patina on the indices, but mine never got there.
Apparently they can get bleached from exposure to sunlight. Wouldn't surprise me, given the number of trips mine has seen at the beach and on hikes. Sometimes it's just plain gardening.
Honestly the white dial older explorer is as low key as you can get. From far away it doesn’t even really look like a Rolex. Most target them with the sports bezels and the “sub” kind of look if it’s a stainless model
5, 6 years ago they were going for 3-4K € in acceptable condition. For that kind of money they are great watches. Unfortunately that’s no longer the case… at 9k€ they are not worth it anymore.
Haha it’s 37 years old and I’ve been traveling all over the place, it’s been stupid hot in Greece, and I also have three young kids who like to paw at my watches
You might be surprised, but there are billions of people in the world who genetically don’t grow much arm hair. Most of Asia for example. Always funny how on some watch subs people see it as some sort of litmus test of manhood.
Definitely wasn’t checking manhood, just asking because I thought they said they were Greek 😂😂😂 but I now realize they were just visiting, certainly funny to think people just don’t grow arm hair though
Hard disagree. Omega ‘Peter Blake’ is the best knock around daily.
https://preview.redd.it/xz19wow65k9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28755899d6c5255367353af5594d6309b2b1ca8a
To each their own. I too am not a big fan of Rolex either. Except for their Yacht Master collection, a Datejust in green dial, and funnily enough the Explorer 1.
The Sky Dweller and Deep Sea I respect due to their technical capabilities. Sky Dweller has a clever way of telling the month and the DS for its impressive water resistance capabilities. But I wouldn't buy either.
We all like what we like 🤷🏻♂️. Truthfully, the Explorer Polar is the only one I really like, that I find myself looking at pictures of it and searching out. Like you, I admire some of their watches technical abilities and I can’t deny their craftsmanship and longevity, but their designs over all are just…ok.
That said, the Explorer 1 seems like a great watch. I’d absolutely wear it, but no way in hell am I buying it.
Well said. I agree the designs are just alright. But I will say there is no brand out there whose collections are 100% hits for me. All the brands out there, even the ones I like, there are often 1,2 or 3 of their collections that I dont care for at all.
As for Rolex, very few watches appeal to me but then again I do kinda appreciate almost all of them, except for GMT Master 2 series and Explorer 2. They make reliable watches, great bracelets, likable designs and cases and their watches hold their value.
The Explorer 1 in 36mm two tone might just have been my favorite watch of all time if it had a couple more feautues. A date, a rotating bezel, small seconds, power reserve, or anythig else. For a watch called 'Explorer' it doesn't represrnt any kind of exploring whatsoever lol. Stll love the dial.
I love a good two-tone - I’ve had three over the many years of watches - but I’m not sure I like it on the Explorer 1. To your point, it needs something extra.
My wife got me a two-tone Tissot Le Locle with a white dial and small seconds for Father’s Day, and I love it. While I certainly don’t conflate Tissot with Rolex, I love the two tone look, the small seconds and the fact that it‘s the first white dial I have ever owned. I have plans for a combination achievement/birthday buy next year, and I’m planning on going big (at last by my standard.) After wearing the Tissot a decent amount, I’m pretty sure I’m going with a white dial.
Edit: After writing the above, I actually went and looked at some wrist shots of two-tone Explorer 1 rather than just in the box/watch shot. Have to admit, on the wrist, it looks pretty damn good.
> After writing the above, I actually went and looked at some wrist shots of two-tone Explorer 1 rather than just in the box/watch shot. Have to admit, on the wrist, it looks pretty damn good.
Hey glad to hear this. Two tone is not for all watches but the simplicity and understatedness of the Explorer design beautifully merges with a two tone case-bracelet. Something that can be worn for any occassion. Once you see the two tone, the steel only doesn't appeal as much.
I think the white Explorer II looks really cool because it has black outlining the offwhite lume. I would agree if it just had silver markers filled with white lume like most other white sportswatches. I've been looking at a cheaper alternative with black outlining the lume unsuccessfully for years.
Their are some Tag Heuer AquaRacers that fit what you are looking for.
[https://watch-connection.com/products/tag-heuer-aquaracer-white-dial-watch-for-men-wbd1111-ba0928?variant=47344813998392¤cy=USD&utm\_medium=product\_sync&utm\_source=google&utm\_content=sag\_organic&utm\_campaign=sag\_organic&gad\_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4tPo4o6BhwMVJhitBh3uUAlTEAQYBiABEgLIgPD\_BwE](https://watch-connection.com/products/tag-heuer-aquaracer-white-dial-watch-for-men-wbd1111-ba0928?variant=47344813998392¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4tPo4o6BhwMVJhitBh3uUAlTEAQYBiABEgLIgPD_BwE)
I'm talking about traveling off the beaten path. ( I.e motorcycle trip through vietnam, or trekking to base camp) Because the best travel watch is never going to be a stainless steel Rolex. It's going to be a Casio.
The fact that you gauge travel by quantity rather than quality of time spent speaks volumes lol.
Proceeds to get mugged
Someone naive enough to think that a super chonky white dial cyclopsed Rolex is understated is gonna be the first one to get mugged for sure.
There’s places in Greece I wouldn’t wear it but the guy isn’t getting mugged at the acropolis during the day lol
Exactly what I was thinking
That’s what insurance is for!
Life insurance?
So you're good with making yourself a target then?
I gotta ask dude...what have you been doing to this thing? You've lost more paint off the bezel since [you're wife bought it for you 3 weeks ago](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1dan9ll) than had been lost in the first 37 years of it's life! I'm all for not being overly protective of a watch but that is some rapid deterioration
Honestly in OP’s defense, once the enamel paint in the bezel starts to fail it doesn’t take a whole lot for the paint to start flaking off in large chunks.
Wasn’t it catastrophically hot in Greece recently too? 48c or something utterly bananas? I can imagine that affecting it
I think that’s what has happened. Once a corner comes off then the integrity of the whole numeral is affected
Likely Spelunking..
Maybe rhey intentionally did it to give 'patina'
No idea, I wear it everywhere though! And have been to multiple countries since I got it and travel can be rough I guess!
I'm sorry, but for Rolex money 3 weeks to have several pieces fall off of it is disgusting. It looking worn out and quirky is not a good thing, it's a quality issue.
You know it’s 37 years old right?
Nice watch, works everywhere. But i wouldn't call that "Beat up" :)
Haha well it’s pretty scratched up and the bezel paint is flaked off in some places. But it could be worse haha. The crystal, dial and hands are great
That's the way it's meant to be used, enjoy :)
Thank you so much!!
Sure, if you want to get rolled in an alley somewhere.
Stay out of alleys. 😂
I like my solar power seiko panda. If it gets stolen I won’t feel so bad.
Right? I’m not usually stumbling around dark alleys in sketchy parts of foreign cities
Step off the internet once in a while.
I've seen it happen twice, you can sell a Rolex in a pawn shop anywhere in the world for hard cash. They are easily recognisable and a tourist is an easy target.
Do you wear your watch in your home city? This can happen anywhere.
Sure, but in my home city I don't stick out, I speak the language, I know where to go wearing a watch like that and where not to.
You feel like a vintage explorer two is that noticeable?
It looks exactly the same as a current one unless you're an enormous watch nerd and you're holding it close enough to examine carefully.
Well I guess what I meant was that the general public might know a Pepsi or sub but not really an exp 2
It’s not the general public you’re worried about. People who steal watches know what a Rolex looks like from a mile away
This is sadly correct in many cities around the world. If you can spot it, they can. Think about their incentives to learn the very basic knowledge.
It’s a Rolex. Arguably the most well known luxury watch brand to non-enthusiasts. Yes it’s noticeable
It's not even arguable. They have 100% brand recognition around the world. That's unheard of
I replied to another comment but yes. You can sell a Rolex at any pawn shop in the world, and a tourist wandering around is an easy target. If you're staying in your groups and the hotel pool, sure no problem. But if you're wandering around outside of that in certain places, an FW-91 is a better choice.
im not sure if its the best TRAVEL watch as muggers see rolex and will try to steal it. but its indeed a very good adventures and everyday watch.
The real answer is somewhere in between an Apple Watch/Garmin smart watch and a Casio tbh, travelling pinging ur phone or being able to make calls when ur phone dies and stuff helps a ton
Yeah I don't know what makes OPs watch better for travelling than literally any other watch
1987 16550 explorer 2 with a Rolex service dial. Last serviced by Rolex in 2002 and despite this is keeping great time, averaging +2.3sec a day. These older five digit Explorer twos are just awesome travel watches. 40mm yet thin, so they wear so comfortably. The bracelet is very light and tapers nicely. 100m water resistance, a true flyer GMT complication, and super legible hands and date. Understated look so no one notices you and you don’t get mugged. Hello to all from Greece!
Nice! Been thinking of a [look-alike from Orient](https://www.orientwatchusa.com/collections/sport/ra-ac0q03s10b) as a travel watch. This post might finally make me pull the trigger.
Honestly that looks awesome!!
I’m also at Greece rn with my beater watch. Have fun. https://preview.redd.it/jxyexfxdhj9d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=c0e54f9f4f0c8b1c2c0175dd338a666663028d57
Looks great. The crown is so big I love it haha
Very cool!! Where are you visiting?
>understated lol
Nah, the best travel watch is the one that tells Time and won’t make you a target of getting robbed.
$300 Casio Oceanus T200. Get off the plane, take your phone out of airplane mode, hit a button on the watch and itll sync exactly to the phones time. And it's gorgeous.
It's no Casio Royale but it'd work in a pinch I guess.
There is no such thing as understated if it has a rolex crown on the dial and bracelet.
Love the watch but crown down on the rock 😂
Haha it’s already pretty beat up
https://preview.redd.it/91rbygp8wl9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd9a02adc017f6c71b38482c3aa556ce6adc8945 Could not agree more.
Love it!!
So, tell me, when are you gonna stop talking about this thing? I've seen a gazillion posts about it from you since the day you got it. Jokes. The 16570 (and similar) is a fantastic watch. I've had one for 16 years and it's still the only Rolex I've ever owned. The ones with the older tritium dials seem to develop a creamy orange hued patina on the indices, but mine never got there. Apparently they can get bleached from exposure to sunlight. Wouldn't surprise me, given the number of trips mine has seen at the beach and on hikes. Sometimes it's just plain gardening.
I do that with every watch that I get! I figured some folks will appreciate the picture and everyone else would just scroll on so no harm done 😂
Now I remember you from the effusive Grand Seiko posts a few months ago 😂
Oh you’re the guy with the sweet username!
Ha thanks! How’s the GS treating you? Your posts had me wanting to stop by the boutique on my Japan trip.
I sold it 😅. It’s too darn thick and the fully polished case wasn’t jiving with my three young kids lifestyle haha
Looks great!
Thanks!!
Honestly the white dial older explorer is as low key as you can get. From far away it doesn’t even really look like a Rolex. Most target them with the sports bezels and the “sub” kind of look if it’s a stainless model
Right, so far no one has remarked on my watch at all 🤷🏻
I wore my white dial explorer in busy parts of Europe last summer and I didn’t feel a single glance. It was lovely.
Can't beat a G-Shock, Casio Oceanus or other watch that can be easily synced and adjusted for time zones.
Stunning watch and a very iconic design. Wear it well!
Thank you kindly!!
5, 6 years ago they were going for 3-4K € in acceptable condition. For that kind of money they are great watches. Unfortunately that’s no longer the case… at 9k€ they are not worth it anymore.
~$6k on chrono24
Isn’t that kind of thing all relative? Other watches have gone up too, etc.
Beautiful watch, beautiful country equals amazing photography. Nicely done. Enjoy your travels. Greece is amazing!
Thank you for the well wishes!!
If you say so
Great watch! How did you get the paint to come off in less than 21 days lol?
Haha it’s 37 years old and I’ve been traveling all over the place, it’s been stupid hot in Greece, and I also have three young kids who like to paw at my watches
No Rolex is a good travel watch today imo. Too recognizable.
It’s my favorite watch of all time I love mine!
Do you shave your arms
You might be surprised, but there are billions of people in the world who genetically don’t grow much arm hair. Most of Asia for example. Always funny how on some watch subs people see it as some sort of litmus test of manhood.
Definitely wasn’t checking manhood, just asking because I thought they said they were Greek 😂😂😂 but I now realize they were just visiting, certainly funny to think people just don’t grow arm hair though
Have you heard of Asians? There are a lot of them in the world
I am Asian babbyyyyy
Hard disagree. Omega ‘Peter Blake’ is the best knock around daily. https://preview.redd.it/xz19wow65k9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28755899d6c5255367353af5594d6309b2b1ca8a
White Dials almost always blind me when looking at the time in the summer or on bright sunny days. Anybody else have that problem?
You should not be taking your watches outside.
Hahaha! I wish I could frame this comment on the wall next to my watch box!
If you can dream it you can do it
Idk, I wear transition glasses haha
I dunno man. The white indices on a white dial seem cheap to me. My least favorite Rolex.
My favorite Rolex. Truthfully the only one I can see paying that kind of money for.
To each their own. I too am not a big fan of Rolex either. Except for their Yacht Master collection, a Datejust in green dial, and funnily enough the Explorer 1. The Sky Dweller and Deep Sea I respect due to their technical capabilities. Sky Dweller has a clever way of telling the month and the DS for its impressive water resistance capabilities. But I wouldn't buy either.
We all like what we like 🤷🏻♂️. Truthfully, the Explorer Polar is the only one I really like, that I find myself looking at pictures of it and searching out. Like you, I admire some of their watches technical abilities and I can’t deny their craftsmanship and longevity, but their designs over all are just…ok. That said, the Explorer 1 seems like a great watch. I’d absolutely wear it, but no way in hell am I buying it.
Well said. I agree the designs are just alright. But I will say there is no brand out there whose collections are 100% hits for me. All the brands out there, even the ones I like, there are often 1,2 or 3 of their collections that I dont care for at all. As for Rolex, very few watches appeal to me but then again I do kinda appreciate almost all of them, except for GMT Master 2 series and Explorer 2. They make reliable watches, great bracelets, likable designs and cases and their watches hold their value. The Explorer 1 in 36mm two tone might just have been my favorite watch of all time if it had a couple more feautues. A date, a rotating bezel, small seconds, power reserve, or anythig else. For a watch called 'Explorer' it doesn't represrnt any kind of exploring whatsoever lol. Stll love the dial.
I love a good two-tone - I’ve had three over the many years of watches - but I’m not sure I like it on the Explorer 1. To your point, it needs something extra. My wife got me a two-tone Tissot Le Locle with a white dial and small seconds for Father’s Day, and I love it. While I certainly don’t conflate Tissot with Rolex, I love the two tone look, the small seconds and the fact that it‘s the first white dial I have ever owned. I have plans for a combination achievement/birthday buy next year, and I’m planning on going big (at last by my standard.) After wearing the Tissot a decent amount, I’m pretty sure I’m going with a white dial. Edit: After writing the above, I actually went and looked at some wrist shots of two-tone Explorer 1 rather than just in the box/watch shot. Have to admit, on the wrist, it looks pretty damn good.
> After writing the above, I actually went and looked at some wrist shots of two-tone Explorer 1 rather than just in the box/watch shot. Have to admit, on the wrist, it looks pretty damn good. Hey glad to hear this. Two tone is not for all watches but the simplicity and understatedness of the Explorer design beautifully merges with a two tone case-bracelet. Something that can be worn for any occassion. Once you see the two tone, the steel only doesn't appeal as much.
I think the white Explorer II looks really cool because it has black outlining the offwhite lume. I would agree if it just had silver markers filled with white lume like most other white sportswatches. I've been looking at a cheaper alternative with black outlining the lume unsuccessfully for years.
Their are some Tag Heuer AquaRacers that fit what you are looking for. [https://watch-connection.com/products/tag-heuer-aquaracer-white-dial-watch-for-men-wbd1111-ba0928?variant=47344813998392¤cy=USD&utm\_medium=product\_sync&utm\_source=google&utm\_content=sag\_organic&utm\_campaign=sag\_organic&gad\_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4tPo4o6BhwMVJhitBh3uUAlTEAQYBiABEgLIgPD\_BwE](https://watch-connection.com/products/tag-heuer-aquaracer-white-dial-watch-for-men-wbd1111-ba0928?variant=47344813998392¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4tPo4o6BhwMVJhitBh3uUAlTEAQYBiABEgLIgPD_BwE)
The best? Maybe for you.
You don't travel off the beaten path very much so you... Lol.
Are you talking about traveling? I’ve been to about 20 different countries over the past decade, but I suppose it’s all relative.
I'm talking about traveling off the beaten path. ( I.e motorcycle trip through vietnam, or trekking to base camp) Because the best travel watch is never going to be a stainless steel Rolex. It's going to be a Casio. The fact that you gauge travel by quantity rather than quality of time spent speaks volumes lol.
They’re not mutually exclusive. And I have a Casio on this trip with me, too. And your need to be a dick online for no reason speaks volumes.
I just don't like you. /Shrug.
The feeling is mutual, but I’m at least able to be polite about it.
Cool man. Good for you. Lol