100% AUTHENTIC
Rolex Explorer II
Pre-Owned
Authentic Pre-Owned Rolex Explorer II | Trusted Since 2000
The Rolex Explorer II is the GMT watch nobody talks about — which is exactly why it's priced where it is.
Same GMT complication as the GMT-Master II. Same ability to track two time zones. A fixed 24-hour bezel instead of a rotating one, designed for cave explorers and polar expeditions where you can't tell day from night by looking outside. The Rolex Explorer 2 does everything the GMT-Master II does for $4,000 to $8,000 less on the pre-owned market.
We've been selling pre-owned Rolex Explorer II watches since 2000. For buyers who want the function without the premium, this is where to look.
Authentic, pre-owned Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II.
All watches come with Ermitage 1-year warranty. 10-days hassle-free return.
Rolex Explorer II 16570 Single Swiss Black Dial
40 mm, Quickset Date, 2 Time Zones, Stainless Steel Bracelet, Single Swiss, Black Dial, Excellent Condition, Box, Booklets, Certificate
$8,590
Stock Number #7997
Rolex Explorer II 16570 Single Swiss Dial 40MM
40 mm, Quickset Date, 2 Time Zones, Stainless Steel Bracelet, Single Swiss, White Dial, Mint Condition, Box, Booklets
$8,590
Stock Number #8028
Rolex Explorer II 42mm — Reference 226570
Caliber 3285, 70-hour power reserve, white or black dial. The white dial trades higher because it's distinctive — most steel Rolex sport watches have dark dials, and the white Rolex Explorer II stands out in a way that attracts a specific buyer.
White dial with papers: $9,000 to $11,500. Black dial: $8,500 to $10,500. Drop $1,000 to $1,500 for watch only.
This is the current production reference and the one most buyers shopping for a new Rolex Explorer 2 will end up with on the pre-owned market.
Rolex Explorer II — Reference 216570
The orange hand. That's the signature. The bright orange GMT hand on the 216570 is the visual tell that separates the Explorer II from every other Rolex at a glance. Ran from 2011 to 2021, caliber 3187, same 42mm case as the current reference.
Pre-owned Rolex Explorer II 216570: $8,000 to $10,000. White dial commands a small premium over black. The 216570 at $8,000 against a GMT-Master II Batman at $12,000 is the value comparison that more buyers should be making.
Rolex Explorer II — Reference 16570
Twenty-two years of production. 1989 to 2011. 40mm case — noticeably slimmer on the wrist than the current 42mm. The "polar" white dial on the 16570 has become its own collecting niche, and clean unpolished examples are getting harder to find every year.
Pre-owned Rolex Explorer II 16570: $5,500 to $8,500. Tritium-dial examples from early production carry collector premiums that justify the extra research required to authenticate them properly.
Rolex Explorer 2 Price Summary
| Reference | Size | Years | Pre-Owned Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 226570 (white) | 42mm | 2021–present | $9,000 – $11,500 |
| 226570 (black) | 42mm | 2021–present | $8,500 – $10,500 |
| 216570 | 42mm | 2011–2021 | $8,000 – $10,000 |
| 16570 | 40mm | 1989–2011 | $5,500 – $8,500 |
Explorer II vs GMT-Master II
The question is straightforward: do you want the two-color bezel or not?
The GMT-Master II Pepsi, Batman, and Sprite configurations are visually iconic. They carry premiums of $4,000 to $8,000 over comparable Explorer II references for essentially the same complication in a different case. The bezel rotates on the GMT-Master II and is fixed on the Explorer II — a functional difference that matters to almost nobody in daily use.
The Explorer II is the watch for buyers who want the GMT function and don't need the recognition. The GMT-Master II is for buyers who want both. Neither is wrong.
What to Check on a Pre-Owned Rolex Explorer II
The GMT hand — the arrow-tipped fourth hand — should advance independently when the crown is pulled to the first position. This confirms the quickset function works. On worn examples, the mechanism can develop play.
The fixed 24-hour bezel should be clean with consistent printing. Unlike the GMT-Master II's rotating bezel, there's no mechanism to wear out — but the bezel insert itself can scratch or chip on the printed numerals.
The orange hand color on 216570 references should be consistent and unfaded. Check under natural light — artificial light can mask color deterioration.
Case and bracelet evaluation follows the same rules as any Rolex — original surfaces, no heavy polishing, bracelet stretch within acceptable limits.
Browse our current pre-owned Rolex Explorer II inventory. Prefer the simpler time-only version? See our pre-owned Rolex Explorer. Full pre-owned Rolex collection or Rolex Price Guide 2026 for pricing across all models. Looking to sell? We buy pre-owned Rolex watches nationwide.
Discover Rolex Explorer II by Reference Number
