Rolex Explorer vs Explorer II
On recorded sales with box and papers, the Explorer 124270 is worth about $7,900 and the Explorer II 226570 is worth about $11,000. Below: what sets them apart in our catalog, how much evidence backs each figure, and how their prices have moved.
The references
Explorer 124270. In production, made 2021–present, part of the Explorer line. Our catalog records: 36 mm Oystersteel case, Smooth, polished Oystersteel bezel, Black dial, Calibre 3230. 345 sold results back its range, from eBay and auction sales; the newest is from October 19, 2026.
Explorer II 226570. In production, made 2021–present, part of the Explorer II line. Our catalog records: 42 mm Oystersteel case, Fixed brushed stainless steel bezel with engraved, black-filled 24-hour scale, Black or white lacquer dial, Calibre 3285. 577 sold results back its range, from eBay and auction sales; the newest is from October 17, 2026.
On worth-about figures, the Explorer II 226570 costs about 39% more than the Explorer 124270.
Specs
| Detail | Explorer 124270 | Explorer II 226570 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Explorer | Explorer II |
| Production years | 2021–present | 2021–present |
| Status | In production | In production |
| Case size | 36 mm | 42 mm |
| Case material | Oystersteel | Oystersteel |
| Bezel | Smooth, polished Oystersteel | Fixed brushed stainless steel bezel with engraved, black-filled 24-hour scale |
| Dial | Black | Black or white lacquer |
| Movement | Calibre 3230 | Calibre 3285 |
| Retail | €7,700 (retail list price in France per 41watch and Monochrome Watches, January 2026) | €10,300 (retail list price in France per 41watch and Monochrome Watches, January 2026) |
Prices
| Detail | Explorer 124270 | Explorer II 226570 |
|---|---|---|
| Worth about | $7,900 | $11,000 |
| Typical range, box and papers | $5,950–$9,900 | $8,250–$13,800 |
| Watch only (about) | $5,150–$8,600 | $7,300–$12,100 |
| Unworn | $6,850–$9,25027 sales | $10,100–$13,70078 sales |
| Confidence | High | High |
| Volatility | Stable | Moving |
| Last 12 months | ▲9% in 12 months | ▲3.8% in 12 months |
| eBay sold median, 12 months | $7,700 (185 sales) | $10,900 (326 sales) |
| Auction sold median, 12 months | $8,300 (11 sales) | $11,700 (32 sales) |
| Sold results behind the range | 345 | 577 |
| Newest sale | October 19, 2026 | October 17, 2026 |
Box and papers, private-sale level: how we value a Rolex.
Price history
| Detail | Explorer 124270 | Explorer II 226570 |
|---|---|---|
| Records start | 2021 | 2022 |
| First full year median | $9,9002021, Forum, 12 posts | Less than five years of records |
| Last 12 months median | $8,00050 posts | None |
| Change over the record | -19% | None |
| Highest median | $10,200 (2022-03) | None |
Forum figures are the price a seller listed when the post was marked sold, not a confirmed sale price.
Which has held its value better?
Over the last 12 months the Explorer 124270 moved most in its favour (▲9% in 12 months), against ▲3.8% in 12 months for the Explorer II 226570.
Over each one's full record: the Explorer 124270 is down 19% since 2021 (forum medians). The Explorer II 226570 has less than five years of records, so no long comparison yet.
The Explorer 124270 market is stable; the Explorer II 226570 market is moving over the last 90 days of sales.
Past prices do not predict future ones.
Which one is for you
On budget alone, the Explorer 124270 is the way in: the Explorer II 226570 costs about 39% more on worth-about figures.
Evidence is deepest for the Explorer II 226570, 577 sales, and thinnest for the Explorer 124270, 345 sales; resale offers for the thinner one will vary more.
Recent sales are stable for the Explorer 124270, moving for the Explorer II 226570.
Momentum favours the Explorer 124270, whose twelve-month median moved 5.2 points more than the Explorer II 226570's.
Only a long record shows how a reference behaves through a full cycle; the Explorer 124270's goes back furthest, to 2021. The Explorer II 226570 has under five years of record.
The set matters unevenly: a bare watch is worth about 13% less for the Explorer 124270 and 12% less for the Explorer II 226570.
Beyond price, the catalog separates them on bezel and dial. Bezel: smooth, polished Oystersteel on the Explorer 124270; fixed brushed stainless steel bezel with engraved, black-filled 24-hour scale on the Explorer II 226570. Dial: black on the Explorer 124270, black or white lacquer on the Explorer II 226570.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more expensive, the Explorer 124270 or Explorer II 226570?
On recorded sales with box and papers, the Explorer II 226570 is worth about $11,000, the Explorer 124270 about $7,900.
What is the difference between the Explorer 124270 or Explorer II 226570?
From our catalog, they differ in case size (36 mm on the Explorer 124270, 42 mm on the Explorer II 226570), movement (calibre 3230 on the Explorer 124270, calibre 3285 on the Explorer II 226570), bezel (smooth, polished Oystersteel on the Explorer 124270; fixed brushed stainless steel bezel with engraved, black-filled 24-hour scale on the Explorer II 226570).