Shop Pre-Owned Rolex Explorer II Watches With Bezel
Are you looking to buy a pre-owned Rolex Explorer II timepiece? You can find all the information you need about this remarkable tool watch right here on Bezel. Built for adventurers and world travelers, the Explorer II offers unmatched precision, legibility, and durability, which has made it a beloved staple in Rolex’s extensive portfolio of professional watches. Discover the legacy and enduring style of Rolex’s ultimate tool watch with our collection of Explorer II watches on Bezel.
The Legacy of Rolex Explorer II Watches
As the name suggests, the Rolex Explorer II was a reiteration of Rolex’s first-ever adventure-focused sports watch, the Rolex Explorer. The Explorer II wasn’t introduced as a replacement for the original Explorer. Instead, both watches existed side by side in the watchmaker’s catalog, with the Explorer II being the more feature-packed watch of the two.
The story of this watch began with the creation of the original Explorer watch in 1953. This simple but rugged time-only watch was marketed as a durable tool for mountaineering and other outdoor adventures. The Explorer has remained an important part of Rolex’s catalog ever since, with several subtle updates and upgrades.
Perhaps the biggest update yet was the introduction of an entirely new collection in 1971 based on this original Explorer. Rolex released a more robust and feature-packed adventure watch designed specifically for cave explorers (spelunkers) and polar adventurers.
The Explorer II came with a number of notable upgrades, including a date window covered by a cyclops lens at the 3 o’clock position and a 24-hour bezel with an extra hour hand to distinguish between day and night. This was an essential feature for adventurers exploring dark environments like caves and polar regions, where it can be difficult to distinguish between day and night. In subsequent references, the 24-hour bezel and indicating hand were upgraded to a complete GMT function so the explorer’s watch could simultaneously tell the time in two time zones.
How Much Does a Rolex Explorer II Watch Cost
The Rolex Explorer II has since become immensely popular with collectors and watch lovers with an adventurous spirit. This watch's robust design and advanced features give it even more value to collectors than its predecessor, which is why it commands a good price in the retail and pre-owned luxury watch market.
Retail Cost
New Rolex Explorer II watches sell for an average of $9,750 when you buy from an authorized retailer. This watch is exclusively made of stainless steel, which helps to keep the price within reach of average buyers. The retail price can be slightly higher or lower than the quoted figure, depending on the specific reference and other factors.
How Much Does a Pre-Owned Rolex Explorer II Cost
The cost of buying Rolex Explorer II watches in the pre-owned market can vary between $7,000 to $25,000 on average. Older models in good condition (like the Ref. 16570 and 216570 watches) are the cheapest, with an average price of $7,000 to $10,000. It's perfect for collectors who prefer the aesthetics of older models or are simply looking to save costs. Note that some of this watch's most popular vintage versions may also cost over $15,000 due to their rarity and historical significance. Later variants, including many current production references, cost between $10,000 and $15,000 on average.
Key Features of Rolex Explorer II Watches
Legible Luminous dial
The Explorer II is produced exclusively in black or white (polar) dial options. With great emphasis on simplicity, the dial is free from any extra features except for the date window located at the 3 o’clock position. The hour markers and all the other texts on the dial are oversized and come in geometric shapes to make them easy to read.
In addition to the simple and refined aesthetics of the dial, the hour markers and other components are also covered in luminous materials. The latest models of the Explorer use Chromalight Lume material, which has a blue glow and promotes legibility in the dark environments this watch was built to explore.
Robust Build and Materials
The Explorer II came in a larger case size compared to its predecessor, but is just as rugged. While a few modern models have precious metal accents, the Explorer II is made primarily from Rolex’s proprietary stainless steel material known as Oystersteel. This material ensures optimal durability while still giving the watch a lustrous finish. Since 1985, the watch face has been covered with sapphire crystals instead of the acrylic used in earlier references. This crystal material is renowned for being extra scratch-resistant while ensuring optimal legibility. Modern models of the
Waterproof
The Rolex Explorer II has a depth rating of up to 100 meters (330 feet), which is what you’ll expect from a watch built for outdoor exploration. A major feature that makes this depth rating possible is Rolex’s patented Twinlock crown system, which has a double sealing design to keep moisture out of the watch (inside the tube of the crown and within the crown itself). The Explorer II is not a dive watch, but the depth rating is good enough to protect the watch from rain, recreational swimming, and accidental splashes.
Dual Time Zone
The original Explorer II watch came with an extra hour hand, essentially an advanced day/night indicator. In 1985, Rolex upgraded this feature by making the hour hand independent of the main hour hand. This feature, combined with the 24-hour calibrated bezel, made the Explorer II a GMT piece capable of tracking the time in two time zones at the same time. However, unlike the watches in Rolex’s GMT Master collection, the Explorer II bezel is fixed, which means they could only track an extra time zone.
Popular Rolex Explorer II Watches
Since the first Explorer II Ref. 1655 made its debut in 1971, Rolex has released several other references for this collection, featuring new movements, dial color, and other subtle design elements. Even the luminous materials used for different variants of this watch have been changed several times over the years. Some of the most popular references in this collection include:
Selling Your Rolex Explorer II is Easy with Bezel
Do you have a Rolex Explorer II timepiece for sale? You can unlock the true value of your watch through our professional sales services. Our expert team is here to make the process of selling your Rolex Explorer II timepieces as seamless and rewarding as possible.
Listing your watch for sale on the Bezel marketplace doesn’t just make the process easy, our experts will also ensure that you get a fair and competitive price for your precious timepiece in line with its true worth. Each timepiece we receive goes through an in-house authentication process to verify its condition, age, and other features to appraise its value. You can trust our experts to handle every step of the sale process, including marketing your watch and negotiating with potential buyers.
Choose Bezel for Your Luxury Wristwatch Needs
Do you need a timepiece for your next adventure, or do you simply want a rugged and stylish watch for everyday use? You can find the perfect Rolex Explorer II watch on the Bezel marketplace. Our pre-owned luxury watch marketplace is an intuitive way to search and shop for watches.
You will find a highly curated selection of luxury watches on our beautifully designed mobile-first web platform. You can also download the Bezel app to shop for pre-owned luxury watches at your convenience.
Apart from the Explorer II and other top-quality Rolex watches, Bezel offers a selection of some of the rarest and most sought-after watches from other major brands like Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, and many more.
For collectors in need of a specific model or watch reference not listed on our site, you can use our special concierge services. Expert advisors will help you search for the watch you need from our network of reliable sellers. All watches purchased on Bezel are covered by our comprehensive buyer protection policy, guaranteeing their authenticity and giving you complete peace of mind with your purchase.
