The reference you actually want is the 16570, not the 16559. Rolex has never issued an Explorer II under 16559, so a listing using that number is a typo for 16550 or 16570, a seller's internal stock code, or a number chosen so an untraceable watch looks catalog-correct. Judge every Explorer II listing, genuine or replica, on five criteria: does the reference exist, do the dial and handset match that reference, is the movement the one that belongs in it, do the case and bracelet details line up, and does the seller say plainly what they are selling.

Explorer II references that exist

The Explorer II line is short enough to memorize, which is exactly why a fake reference number stands out.

  • 1655 (1971 to 1985): fixed 24-hour bezel, orange arrow hand, calibre 1575.
  • 16550 (1985 to 1989): calibre 3085, first Explorer II with a sapphire crystal.
  • 16570 (1989 to 2011): the longest run, black or white dial, calibre 3185 with later examples using the 3186.
  • 216570 (2011 to 2021): 42 mm case, orange hand, calibre 3187.
  • 226570 (2021 onward): 42 mm case, calibre 3285.

Nothing in that list is 16559. That single fact is the most useful thing to carry into a listing.

Why the number 16559 appears in listings

  • Transposed digits from 16550 or 16570, the two references it most resembles.
  • A marketplace or dealer stock code that a buyer mistook for a Rolex reference.
  • An invented number used to make a watch that cannot be traced against any archive look legitimate.

When a seller writes 16559, treat it as a prompt to slow down rather than a detail to ignore.

Reference 1655: the original

  • Pros: the first Explorer II, a fixed 24-hour bezel, and the orange hand that defines the line. Strong collector interest.
  • Cons: short production run, frequent redials and rebuilt examples, and specialists are needed to judge originality.

Use case: a collector chasing lineage who accepts the cost and the research burden. A poor first Explorer II.

Reference 16570: the reference most buyers mean

  • Pros: 22 years of production, 40 mm case, black or white dial, and a deep pool of reference material to compare against.
  • Cons: the sheer volume of listings means quality varies widely, so seller honesty matters more than the number on the case.

Use case: daily wear and first-time buyers. It is the easiest reference to verify against published photographs and specification sheets.

References 216570 and 226570: the modern 42 mm

  • Pros: current sizing, current movements, and the most consistent manufacturing of the line.
  • Cons: larger on the wrist, and the orange hand plus maxi dial is a different look from the vintage models.

Use case: buyers who want a watch that reads as a modern sports Rolex rather than a vintage one.

Checks before you trust any Explorer II listing

  1. Search the reference in Rolex's own model history. If the number is absent, stop there.
  2. Compare the 24-hour hand shape and length to the reference. Every Explorer II has one, but the proportions changed between generations.
  3. Read the dial printing. Spelling, font weight, and spacing are the fastest tells on any Explorer II, real or replica.
  4. Ask which calibre sits inside and who serviced it. A seller who cannot answer is a seller who cannot document the watch.
  5. Inspect the case and bracelet details: crown guards, lug shape, clasp stamping, and end link fit.
  6. Read the seller's own wording. Someone who calls a replica a replica is a different risk than someone who implies it is original.

Legal and resale reality

Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and sell in the United States, and shipments are subject to seizure. Resale value on a replica is close to zero, and authorized service centers will not work on one. Any listing that claims a counterfeit contains genuine Rolex parts is making an unverifiable claim that carries real risk for the buyer.

Which Explorer II fits which buyer

If you want the classic look at the lowest entry point, the 16570 is the reference to search for, and the 16559 is a number to discard. If you want the original and can fund a specialist purchase, look at the 1655. If you want modern sizing, look at the 216570 or 226570. In each case, the reference number on the listing is the first thing to verify and the easiest thing for a seller to get wrong.