Explorer II · Nickname guide
The white-dial Explorer II — high-contrast and unmistakable since 1985.
Reference
226570
Years
1985–present
Also called
White dial
Bezel / dial
White dial, 24-hour bezel
Below: what makes the Polar (226570) distinctive, what to verify before buying, and how it fits the Naples collector scene.
The white dial debuted on the 16550 in 1985 and quickly earned the “Polar” name for its icy, legible look. With black-outlined markers and an orange or black 24-hour hand depending on the generation, it has become the Explorer II's signature face.
The current 226570 carries it on the 42 mm case with an independently adjustable hour hand, making the Explorer II a capable GMT as well as a day/night watch.
What to verify
In Naples
The Polar's bright dial reads beautifully in Naples sun, and the white face is the version most buyers picture when they think Explorer II. As a current model it can be sought at retail, while early cream-dial 16550s are a vintage pursuit.
We are an independent reference, not a dealer: we cannot sell you a Polar or appraise one. What we can do is help you read the reference and know what separates a correct example from a cobbled-together one.
Polar FAQ
It is the white-dial version of the Explorer II, nicknamed for its bright, high-contrast face. It has been offered since the 16550 of 1985 and continues on the current 226570.
The white Polar dial is the Explorer II's most iconic look and is often the more requested of the two, though preference is personal.
Some early 16550 Polar dials have aged to a warm cream or ivory tone. These “cream dial” examples are particularly sought by vintage collectors.
Naples has an active Rolex market through retail, boutiques, and private sales — but Naples Rolex is an independent reference, not a dealer. We don't sell or broker watches. Use this guide to verify a Polar before you buy, wherever you find it.