Rolex Explorer II Bracelets and End Links
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Learn more about Rolex Explorer II Bracelets and End Links
Rolex Explorer 2 Bracelets - Aftermarket Explorer II Bracelets for the 1655, 16550 & 16570
Aftermarket Rolex Explorer II Bracelets and End Links for the 1655, 16550, and 16570
The Explorer II occupies a unique position in the Rolex sport lineup. Launched in 1971 as a spelunking tool watch, it struggled commercially for years before becoming one of the most collectible vintage Rolex references on the market. Oysters Jubilee manufactures new aftermarket Rolex Explorer II bracelets and hollow end links for the 1655, 16550, and 16570, precision machined to match the Oyster bracelet specifications that accompanied each generation from the early 1970s through late 1990s.
Find Your Explorer II Bracelet on Our Compatibility Chart
What Makes Explorer II Bracelet Restoration Different
Bracelet condition matters more on the Explorer II than almost any other vintage Rolex. The 1655's collector premiums, the 16550's desirable dial defects, and the 16570's status as the accessible entry into the lineup all mean that a tired or incorrect bracelet undermines the entire presentation. Here's what sets our manufacturing apart for this model.
Three Decades, Three Construction Approaches
Three decades of Explorer II production required three different approaches to Oyster bracelet construction. We machine folded-link 7836 bracelets to the thinner, lighter tolerances that defined 1970s Rolex sport watches. Our hollow-link 78360 production captures the transitional construction that bridged the 1655 and 16550 eras. And the 78790 for late 16570 models reflects the heavier clasp architecture that Rolex introduced as the collection matured. End links from 280 through 501B are manufactured to seat flush against each case generation's specific lug geometry.
Shared Lug Width, Different Fitment Requirements
The 1655, 16550, and 16570 all share 20mm lug width and drilled lug holes, but that's where interchangeability ends. End link codes differ between references, and using the wrong code results in visible gaps or lateral play between the bracelet and case. Getting the pairing right matters.
Direct Manufacturing, No Supply Chain Markup
We manufacture every Explorer II bracelet component directly. No middlemen, no third-party sourcing. Direct manufacturing delivers competitive pricing on a model that has seen significant collector appreciation in recent years, particularly the 1655 and cream-dial 16550 variants where bracelet condition directly impacts overall value.
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Rolex Explorer 2 Bracelet Compatibility by Reference and Production Era
Explorer II 1655 Bracelets and End Links
When Rolex introduced the Explorer II in 1971, it wore a folded-link 7836 Oyster bracelet with 280 end links. That configuration served early 1655 production through 1976. An alternative 7836 setup with 580 end links was also available during this period. After 1976, the 1655 moved to the hollow-link 78360 with 580 end links for the remainder of its run through 1984. The orange 24-hour hand, acrylic crystal, and fixed engraved bezel make this reference instantly recognizable, and its rising collector status means bracelet presentation carries real weight.
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Explorer II 16550 Bracelets and End Links
Rolex produced the 16550 for just five years between 1985 and 1989, but those years packed in significant changes. The case grew to 40mm, sapphire replaced acrylic, and the independently adjustable hour hand turned the Explorer II from a cave watch into a true travel companion. The bracelet is the 78360 with 501B end links. What makes the 16550 particularly interesting for collectors is that certain dials developed defects that are now highly prized. White dials that aged to cream and black dials that developed fine cracking patterns both command premiums, and presenting these watches with a clean, period-correct bracelet is part of the equation.
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Explorer II 16570 Bracelets and End Links
The 16570 is the Explorer II most collectors encounter first. Produced from 1989 through 1999 in our coverage range, it ran long enough to span two bracelet configurations. Early production used the 78360 with 501B end links, the same bracelet code as the 16550 but paired with the 16570's refined case geometry. From 1995 onward, Rolex upgraded the 16570 to the 78790 bracelet with 501B end links and a modernized clasp. The white-dial version earned the "Polar Explorer" nickname and remains one of the most recognizable vintage Rolex sport watches.
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View the Full Rolex Compatibility Chart
Oyster vs. Jubilee on the Rolex Explorer II
No Explorer II reference ever shipped with a Jubilee bracelet. The 1655, 16550, and 16570 all left on three-link Oyster bracelets, consistent with the model's tool watch DNA. Collectors do occasionally mount Jubilee bracelets on Explorer II cases since the 20mm lug width makes it physically possible, and the contrast between a dress bracelet and the fixed 24-hour bezel creates an unusual aesthetic. For those interested in a Rolex Explorer II Jubilee bracelet pairing, our Jubilee collection includes 20mm-compatible configurations. For period-correct restoration, the Oyster is the only appropriate choice.
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Identifying Your Rolex Explorer II Reference
The 24-Hour Hand Tells the Story
Identifying your Explorer II reference takes seconds once you know what to look for. The 24-hour hand tells the story: orange on the 1655, red on the 16550 and 16570. Crystal material confirms it further, with the 1655 wearing acrylic and both later references using sapphire. Case diameter adds a final data point at 39mm for the 1655 and 40mm for the 16550 and 16570.
Finding Reference and Serial Numbers
Reference and serial numbers sit between the lugs at 12 and 6 o'clock respectively, accessible only after removing the bracelet. Every Explorer II in our product range features drilled lug holes, which both confirms the 20mm lug width visually and provides practical spring bar access points.
Not Sure Which Explorer II You Have? Use Our Compatibility Chart
Explorer II Bracelet Installation and Fitment
DIY Bracelet Installation
Drilled lug holes across all three Explorer II references make bracelet changes simple. Insert a pin through the lug hole, compress the spring bar, and the bracelet slides free. The 20mm hollow end links seat into the case with minimal effort when correctly matched.
When to Use a Professional Watchmaker
That simplicity comes with a caveat on valuable pieces. The 1655 and desirable 16550 variants command prices where even a minor scratch during spring bar work affects value. On those watches, a professional watchmaker provides an extra layer of protection worth the cost.
More Rolex Explorer II Bracelet Components
Bracelets Only
Standalone Oyster bracelet bodies for Explorer II references, ready to pair with your existing end links. Available in 7836 folded-link and 78360/78790 hollow-link configurations.
End Links Only
Hollow end links manufactured in every Explorer II code. 280 and 580 for the 1655. 501B for the 16550 and 16570.
Extra Links for Bracelet Sizing
Extra links for precise wrist sizing across 7836, 78360, and 78790 Explorer II bracelet codes.
Springbars for Rolex Explorer II
Spring bars sized for 20mm Explorer II lugs. Secure fitment for installation and restoration across all references.
Explorer I Bracelets and End Links
Bracelet components for the Explorer I are also available. We manufacture Oyster bracelets and end links for the 1016 and 14270 references, covering the full Explorer I production timeline.
Shop Explorer I Bracelets and End Links
Get the Right Aftermarket Bracelet for Your Rolex Explorer II
From the folded-link 7836 that launched with the 1655 through the 78790 that closed the 16570 production run, Oysters Jubilee manufactures Rolex Explorer II bracelets matched to every reference and production era. Whether you're restoring a collector-grade 1655 or refreshing the daily-wear 16570 Polar, correct bracelet fitment starts with correct component sourcing.
H5: Browse our full Explorer II collection or use our compatibility chart to confirm your exact match.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rolex Explorer II Bracelets
Was the Rolex Explorer II Ever Offered on a Jubilee Bracelet?
No. The Explorer II was exclusively an Oyster bracelet model across all references. The 20mm lug width does accept a Jubilee bracelet physically, but no Explorer II ever shipped with one. Oysters Jubilee manufactures the Oyster configurations listed in our compatibility chart for period-correct restoration.
What End Links Fit My Rolex Explorer II?
End link codes split along reference lines, not bracelet codes. The 1655 uses 280 on the folded 7836 and 580 on the hollow 78360. The 16550 uses 501B. The 16570 also uses 501B across both the 78360 and 78790 bracelets. Mixing end links between references creates fitment problems even when bracelet codes match.
Can I Use a 16550 Bracelet on a 16570?
Yes, the 16550 and 16570 both use 501B end links with the 78360 bracelet. That specific combination is interchangeable between the two references. However, the 16570's later 78790 bracelet requires its own 501B end links with slightly different geometry, so confirm your bracelet code before ordering end links.
How Do I Tell a 1655 From a 16550?
Orange hand means 1655. Red hand means 16550 or 16570. To distinguish between those two, check the case back serial range or look for subtle dial differences. The 16550 was produced in lower numbers and is more likely to show cream or spider dial aging on white or black variants respectively.