This replica Explorer 226570 42mm takes the Explorer II concept and frames it in the largest case the collection has ever worn. At 42mm, the 226570 replaced the long-running 216570 with updated proportions, a slimmer profile, and refinements to the bracelet and clasp system. The fixed 24-hour bezel in orange remains the defining visual element, serving as both a GMT complication indicator and the single feature that separates this from every other steel sport reference. The M226570-0001 wears its personality through size and function rather than color.

Key Specifications

• Case diameter: 42mm
• Case material: Oystersteel
• Bezel: fixed 24-hour graduated, orange numerals
• Crystal: sapphire with Cyclops magnification at 3 o’clock
• Bracelet: Oyster with folding Oysterlock clasp
• Movement: automatic GMT
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone

The Oyster bracelet on the 226570 gained a new clasp design with micro-adjust capability, bringing it closer to the comfort standards set by the Submariner and GMT-Master lines.

Design & Finishing

The Explorer II has always occupied an unusual position, functioning as a GMT watch without the rotating bezel that defines the GMT-Master series. The fixed orange bezel reads as a reference scale rather than a tool you interact with, which gives the 226570 a cleaner overall look. At 42mm, it wears larger than its predecessor but thinner, thanks to the updated case architecture. The Mercedes hands and applied markers carry chromalight lume that shifts from blue to green as the charge fades. For anyone considering the Explorer family, compare this against the 36mm Explorer 124270, which takes the opposite approach by stripping away the GMT function entirely. Both belong to the Explorer collection, but one is built for dual time zones and the other for pure simplicity.

On the Wrist

The 42mm case fills medium to large wrists without overwhelming them, and the relatively thin profile keeps the watch from tilting or catching on surfaces. The Explorer II has traditionally appealed to buyers who want GMT functionality without the flashier aesthetic of a Pepsi or Batman bezel. The 226570 continues that tradition as a working tool watch that happens to track two time zones. This replica Explorer 226570 42mm puts that dual-timezone capability in a case size that balances presence with daily wearability.