The current TUDOR Black Bay Pro and the discontinued Rolex Explorer II reference 16570 offer different propositions: the Pro pairs a jumping local-hour hand, 200 m water resistance and a five-year transferable guarantee with a 39 mm case; the 16570 is a 40 mm, five-digit Explorer II whose appeal depends on the particular watch’s condition, history and production details. Choose the Pro for documented current specifications and warranty support; consider the 16570 if you specifically want that older Explorer II and are prepared to assess a pre-owned example carefully.
At a glance: Black Bay Pro vs. Explorer II 16570
| Detail | TUDOR Black Bay Pro | Rolex Explorer II 16570 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Current model; specifications here refer to TUDOR reference M79470-0001, black dial and riveted steel bracelet. [TUDOR] | Discontinued reference; Chrono24’s buyer guide dates production to 1989–2011. [Chrono24] |
| Case | 39 mm diameter; 14.6 mm thick. [TUDOR] | 40 mm diameter; reliable thickness figure not stated in the cited sources. [Chrono24; Phillips] |
| GMT arrangement | Fixed 24-hour bezel; yellow 24-hour hand shows reference time, while the local hour hand jumps forward or backward in one-hour increments. [TUDOR] | 24-hour hand; the cited sources identify calibres but do not establish a detailed setting procedure for the 16570. [Chrono24; Phillips] |
| Water resistance | 200 m (660 ft), as specified by TUDOR. [TUDOR] | Not stated for the 16570 in the cited official Rolex material; do not substitute the current Explorer II’s rating. |
| Movement and reserve | MT5652, COSC-certified; approximately 70 hours’ power reserve. [TUDOR] | Calibre 3185 in earlier examples and 3186 in later production, according to Chrono24; reserve for the 16570 is not stated in the cited sources. [Chrono24] |
| Purchase context | TUDOR lists a five-year transferable guarantee for the model. [TUDOR] | Pre-owned and discontinued; condition, service record, originality and production-era details matter for the individual watch. |
How the GMT functions differ
Black Bay Pro: adjust local time without losing reference time
TUDOR describes the MT5652’s local hour hand as independently adjustable in one-hour jumps, forward or backward. The date is coupled to local time. Its yellow 24-hour hand makes one circuit per day and points to reference time against the fixed 24-hour bezel. That layout is useful when changing time zones: the local hour can be reset while the reference-time indication remains in place. [TUDOR]
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Tudor Heritage Black Bay GMT Stainless Steel Automatic Mens Watch M79830RB-0001 | $4,650.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Tudor GMT 58 Black Bay | $5,449.98 | Buy on Amazon |
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Tudor Black Bay Pro Automatic Black Dial Men's Watch M79470-0001 | $4,600.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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16570: confirm the specific watch and its operation
The 16570 is an Explorer II with a 24-hour hand. Chrono24 reports calibre 3185 in earlier examples and calibre 3186 in later ones, but the cited material does not document the setting procedure closely enough for a like-for-like operating comparison. Production ran for many years, so confirm the movement and configuration of the actual example rather than relying on a seller’s stated year alone. [Chrono24; Phillips]
Size, water resistance and movement: what the figures establish
The Pro is 39 mm across and 14.6 mm thick; the 16570 is documented at 40 mm across. Those figures establish a one-millimetre diameter difference, not how either watch will feel on a particular wrist. The cited sources do not establish a reliable thickness for the 16570, so a direct thickness comparison is not possible. [TUDOR; Chrono24; Phillips]
#1 Best Overall
- 41mm steel case with polished and satin finish
- Bidirectional rotatable bezel in steel with 24-hour graduated anodised aluminium disc
- Self-winding mechanical movement with 70 hour power reserve
TUDOR specifies 200 m water resistance for the Black Bay Pro. That figure should not be assigned to the 16570: no 16570 rating was verified in the cited official Rolex material. Rolex’s current Explorer II is a different watch, reference 226570, and its collection page specifies 100 m water resistance and calibre 3285 with approximately 70 hours’ reserve. Those current-model figures do not describe the 16570. [TUDOR; Rolex]
The Black Bay Pro’s MT5652 is COSC-certified and has approximately 70 hours’ power reserve, according to TUDOR. The 16570’s movements are identified in the cited specialist and auction sources as 3185 or, in later examples, 3186; they do not establish a reserve figure for this reference. Do not use the current Explorer II’s approximately 70-hour figure as a proxy. [TUDOR; Chrono24; Rolex]
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What to check when buying a pre-owned 16570
Chrono24’s buyer guide describes the reference as a 40 mm model produced from 1989 to 2011, with gradual changes across its long run, including lume and bracelet or case details. Phillips documents a specific 40 mm example with calibre 3185; that auction record is evidence about that watch, not every 16570. [Chrono24; Phillips]
- Movement and era: Ask for documentation that supports the watch’s movement and production details. Do not treat a seller’s year by itself as proof of calibre or configuration.
- Condition and originality: Assess the watch as an individual item, including its dial, hands, case and bracelet. Compare the configuration with documentation for its production era.
- Service history: Request available service records and clarify what work was performed and when.
- Completeness: Check which accessories and papers are included and whether they correspond to the watch.
- Price: There is no current valuation established here. The approximate asking-price snapshot in Chrono24’s guide is from August 2022 and should not be treated as a 2026 market quote. Value depends on the example, condition, history, completeness, geography and prevailing market.
Do not confuse the 16570 with today’s Explorer II
The 16570 is the discontinued five-digit reference discussed above. Rolex’s current Explorer II is the 226570: a 42 mm watch with calibre 3285, approximately 70 hours’ reserve, 100 m water resistance and stated precision of −2/+2 seconds per day after casing. Rolex says the Explorer II launched in 1971, was restyled with a 42 mm case in 2011 and redesigned in 2021. None of those current 226570 specifications should be attributed to the 16570. [Rolex]
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Rolex states that “In 2026, the Superlative Chronometer certification was expanded to seven testing criteria,” adding magnetism, reliability and durability to precision, waterproofness, self-winding and autonomy. This describes Rolex’s current certification policy; it does not retroactively establish that the 16570 was certified under those seven criteria. [Rolex]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you choose?
Choose the Black Bay Pro if
- You want a current model with manufacturer-published specifications and a five-year transferable guarantee.
- You value a jumping local hour hand and a fixed-bezel 24-hour reference-time display.
- You want TUDOR’s stated 200 m water resistance and a 39 mm case.
Consider the Explorer II 16570 if
- You specifically prefer the older 40 mm Explorer II design and are comfortable buying a discontinued watch.
- You are willing to verify the particular example’s condition, service history, originality, completeness and movement-era details.
- You can judge its price against the individual watch and current market rather than relying on an old asking-price snapshot.
This is a choice between a current watch with clearly stated support and specifications and a vintage-era pre-owned reference whose merits depend substantially on the example in front of you. It is not a comparison with the current 42 mm Explorer II.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
