This replica explorer 226570 is the current-generation Explorer II, carrying the m226570-0002 designation with a white dial and the signature 24-hour hand in orange. At 42mm, the Explorer II runs larger than the Explorer I and targets a different use case entirely. While the Explorer I focuses on legibility in low light, the Explorer II adds a fixed 24-hour bezel for tracking a second time zone. The white “polar” dial variant has been a collector favorite since the reference 16570 era, and the 226570 continues that tradition with updated case proportions.

Technical Overview

• Reference: 226570-0002
• Case diameter: 42mm
• Case material: Oystersteel
• Dial: white lacquer with luminous hour markers
• Bezel: fixed 24-hour graduated in steel
• Crystal: sapphire with Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock
• Movement: automatic with independent hour hand
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour display

The 226570 updated the Explorer II case shape from its predecessor, the 216570, with broader lugs and a slightly different profile. The redesigned bracelet uses a wider Oyster link configuration that improves wrist comfort over extended wear.

Inside the Movement

The independently adjustable hour hand is the defining feature of the Explorer II. It allows the wearer to track home time while traveling, without disrupting the running seconds or minute hand. This makes the 226570 a practical GMT alternative without the rotating bezel that characterizes the GMT-Master line. The orange 24-hour hand sweeps around the fixed bezel markings, providing an at-a-glance distinction between AM and PM in environments where natural light is absent. For those drawn to the Explorer line, the 36mm Explorer 124270 offers the original concept in a more compact size. Both sit within the Explorer collection, but the 226570 is the tool watch of the pair.

What Sets It Apart

The polar white dial on the 226570-0002 creates strong contrast with the black hour markers and orange GMT hand. Unlike the black dial variant, the white version shows every detail of the dial printing with maximum clarity, including the minute track and the “Explorer II” designation below 12 o’clock. On the wrist, the 42mm case fills space without feeling bulky thanks to relatively short lug-to-lug measurements. The fixed steel bezel gives it a more industrial appearance compared to the ceramic bezels found on other Rolex sport models. This replica explorer 226570 gives you the dual-timezone functionality in a package that reads cleaner than most GMT watches on the market.