CLEAN Factory ‘Explorer II’ Ref. 226570 (Gen. 2) — Featuring Custom-Developed Dandong Cal. 3285

CLEAN Factory has launched the Ref. 226570 ‘Explorer II’ (Gen. 2) in black and white dial variants. Its standout feature is the custom-developed, oversized Cal. 3285 movement—identical in specification to that used in Rolex Ref. 126710, yet uniquely enlarged in dimensions to match the 226570’s case architecture. Notably, the date window position differs from the 126710, and due to the Explorer II’s relative niche status, most existing aftermarket 226570s incorrectly replicate the 126710’s date placement. Developing this bespoke movement required over one year of collaboration with Dandong Movement Factory—a feat achieved only because CLEAN persistently advocated for a dedicated tooling project.

Additional refinements include: subtle differences in bezel font weight between Ref. 226570 and 216570; updated case geometry; revised hands; and nuanced adjustments to bezel font thickness. Specifically, the black-dial variant authentically reproduces the vintage thin bezel font (matching original older-production black Explorer IIs), while the white-dial version—based on a 2023 reference—features the modern bold bezel font.

The Explorer II remains an exceptionally distinctive model across Rolex’s entire lineup. Prior to CLEAN’s release, no truly faithful and well-executed replica had been available. This meticulously engineered iteration sets a new benchmark—and we eagerly anticipate CLEAN’s future innovations.