**A neo-vintage Rolex with a serious underground following**
Although Rolex is well-known for producing watches that serve the needs of divers and pilots, the Explorer II was originally designed for those whose pursuits go a little deeper and darker: cave explorers. Introduced in 1971, Rolex equipped it with an additional hand that corresponds with a 24-hour fixed bezel so people without access to sunlight could quickly determine whether it was night or day. There’s no telling just how many spelunkers considered this a must-have, but the feature has developed a clear cult following among collectors.
This Explorer II 16570 was made in 1998, and the folks at Fog City Vintage have done an incredible job sourcing, authenticating, and representing its condition. The red stem of its 24-hour hand (early and current versions have an orange arrow-shaped hand) gives it a covetable rarity, and the striking good looks of its Polar dial will make it a reliable companion on your daily adventures—even if your idea of a *cave* is one that’s furnished with a couple La-Z-Boys and a flat-screen.
