How to use the Rolex Explorer II as a GMT | Bob's Watches

Join us as we discuss how to use the Rolex Explorer II as a GMT watch. Shop our collection of certified pre-owned Explorer II’s now: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-explorer-ii-1.html

Are you interested in learning more about the Explorer II’s dual-time capabilities? This resource explains how to use the Explorer II and why it is considered a GMT watch: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/how-to-set-use-rolex-explorer-ii-gmt.html

Every model within Rolex’s sports watch series caters to a different niche profession. As the GMT Master II was developed for pilots and the Submariner for divers, the Explorer II was created for spelunkers and speleologists. Its design set includes a lumed display that is easy to see in the dark, water-resistance up to 100 meters, a dedicated hand for AM/PM hours, and resilient stainless steel - everything the wearer needs to keep perfect time while adventuring in dark caves for hours on end.

Shop the Explorer II, and other Rolex watches here: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex/

The first Explorer II reference 1655 hit the market in 1971. While the collection has seen numerous upgrades over the past several decades, several aspects of the original 1970s model remain today, including the 24-hour bezel, date mechanism at 3 o’clock, dedicated arrow hand on the dial, and a self-winding movement.

Also known as the “Steve McQueen” Rolex, ref. 1655 also includes older-style baton hour markers and stick hands instead of the Mercedes hands and dot hour markers presented on the 5 and 6-digit examples. Additionally, the bezel features hash marks between the 24-hour graduations compared to the inverted triangles seen on modern references. The iconic arrow hand, which often appears orange, was initially red and has since faded to the iconic orange hue over the years on most examples of the watch. Rolex mirrored this style arrow hand on ref. 216570, which features a similar rich orange hue.

It’s also important to note that ref. 1655 does not feature an independent 24-hour hand and does not operate as a GMT watch. The 24-hour hand is synchronized with the standard hour hand on the dial. Instead of offering a second time zone, the additional hand on the dial is used to track AM and PM hours against the bezel on this reference. The 24-hour hand did not become independent until the 5-digit series, which includes references 16550, 16570, and the current 6-digit ref. 216570.

What is a GMT Watch?

To be considered an actual GMT timepiece, the watch must have dual-time capabilities presented in a 24-hour format. While the GMT Master often first comes to mind when one hears the term “GMT watch,” some iterations of the Explorer II are also considered a genuine GMT Rolex. Home time is set to the 24-hour hand on the dial and read against the bezel, while local time is set to the central hands on the dial.

How do you set the Explorer 2?

That brings us to our next question. How do you set the Explorer II? The first step is to familiarize yourself with the crown, which has three positions. The first position will allow you to wind the watch manually. Position 2 will gain you access to the local time and date. While in this position, the seconds hand will continue to circle the dial while the local hour hand can be adjusted either forwards or backwards. As the hour hand passes midnight, the date mechanism will automatically jump to the next date.

Lastly, position 3 is used to set the 24-hour hand or reference time. Unlike position 2, the seconds hand will stop while in position 3, and the wearer can adjust the minute and both hour hands either forwards or backwards.

To access the Explorer II’s GMT function, sync both hour hands to the same position. An easy way to do this is to advance both hands to midnight while the crown is in the third position. While the crown is still in position 3, set the reference, or home time, by rotating the 24-hour hand to display the correct time via the bezel. The wearer can then adjust the standard hour hand accordingly to read the local time.

While traveling, the process is simple. Keep home time constant on the bezel while adjusting the standard hour hand as you travel by pulling the crown to the second position. If you’re traveling to New York from Los Angeles, the standard hour hand will be adjusted 3 hours ahead, displaying both time zones at once. All the while, the other hands will continue to circle the dial. Once you return home, simply adjust the local time back 3 hours while the crown is in the second position. Both hour hands will, once again, be synced to the same position.

Want to receive notifications for future Rolex videos? Like this video and subscribe to our channel, where we upload fresh content every week.

Видео How to use the Rolex Explorer II as a GMT | Bob's Watches канала Bob's Watches - Buy & Sell Rolex