Rolex Explorer: Prices, Models & Complete Buyer's Guide 2026
The Rolex Explorer is the Everest watch — created for mountain exploration and connected to Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's 1953 summit of the world's highest peak. The clean 3-6-9 dial is the purest expression of Rolex design: no date window, no rotating bezel, no complications — just time, told beautifully. It's widely considered the perfect "one watch" collection — a Rolex that works with everything from a suit to hiking gear. Pre-owned Explorers sell for 10-25% below retail on eBay.
Rolex Explorer Prices by Model
| Model | eBay Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer I 36mm (124270, current) | $7,000 - $10,000 | Retail $7,800; returned to 36mm in 2023 |
| Explorer I 39mm (214270, disc.) | $7,500 - $10,000 | 2010-2023; Mark II dial (lumed numerals) preferred |
| Explorer I 36mm (114270, older) | $5,500 - $7,500 | 2001-2010; cal. 3130; excellent value |
| Explorer I Vintage (1016) | $15,000 - $40,000+ | 1963-1989; gilt dials command premiums |
| Explorer II 42mm White (226570) | $10,000 - $14,000 | Retail $9,550; 'Polar' white dial |
| Explorer II 42mm Black (226570) | $10,000 - $13,000 | Retail $9,550; orange GMT hand |
| Explorer II 42mm (216570, disc.) | $9,000 - $12,000 | 2011-2021; maxi dial |
| Explorer II 40mm (16570, older) | $7,000 - $10,000 | 1991-2011; thinner case; collectible |
Prices reflect completed eBay sales (2025-2026). Vintage 1016 prices vary dramatically by dial condition and provenance. All prices USD.
Explorer I vs Explorer II
| Feature | Explorer I | Explorer II |
|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 36mm | 42mm |
| Complications | None (time only) | GMT + date |
| Bezel | Smooth, fixed | Fixed 24-hour scale |
| Dial | Black, 3-6-9 numerals | Black or white |
| Thickness | 11.5mm | 12.6mm |
| Water Resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Best For | Everyday elegance, one-watch collection | Travel, bold wrist presence |
| Pre-Owned (Steel) | $7,000-$10,000 | $10,000-$14,000 |
The 36mm vs 39mm Explorer I Debate
When Rolex released the 124270 in 2023, it returned the Explorer I to its classic 36mm case size after 13 years of the 39mm 214270. The decision was polarizing.
- 124270 (36mm) — The Return to Heritage
The proportions that defined the Explorer for decades. Fits wrists 6.0-7.5 inches perfectly. The new cal. 3230 brings a 70-hour power reserve (up from 48 hours). Purists celebrate this as the 'correct' Explorer size.
- 214270 (39mm) — The Modern Classic
For those who prefer more wrist presence, the discontinued 39mm hits a sweet spot. The Mark II dial (2016-2023) with lumed 3-6-9 numerals is generally preferred over the Mark I (2010-2016) with blackout numerals. Since discontinuation, the 214270 has been appreciating steadily.
Bottom line: try both on your wrist if possible. The 36mm is the more historically correct choice. The 39mm offers more modern proportions. Both are excellent watches, and the market treats both fairly.
Why the Explorer I Is the Perfect "One Watch"
- Goes with everything
The 36mm case and smooth bezel slide under any cuff. No rotating bezel to catch on things, no cyclops to add visual bulk, no date window to fuss over. The black dial with luminous 3-6-9 numerals is legible in any light and appropriate in any setting.
- Built to last
The Oyster case, screw-down crown, and 100m water resistance mean you never need to take it off. The cal. 3230 with Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring resists shocks and magnetic fields. Service intervals are 10 years.
- Understated luxury
No precious metal option (steel only), no gem-set variant, no garish dial color. This is Rolex at its most purposeful — a watch designed to be a tool first and a status symbol second. The anti-Submariner.
Authentication Tips
- Chromalight lume — modern Explorers (post-2010) glow blue in the dark, not green. Green-glowing lume on a modern reference is a red flag
- Micro-etched crown at 6 o'clock — nearly invisible to the naked eye but clear under 10x magnification. Fakes make it too large or omit it
- Rehaut engraving — 'ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX' with serial at 6 o'clock. Must be crisp and perfectly aligned
- Weight — genuine Explorer I (124270) weighs approximately 100g on bracelet. Fakes are noticeably lighter
- Crown feel — should wind smoothly with satisfying, buttery resistance. Never gritty or loose
- Vintage 1016 authentication requires specialized knowledge — dial originality, correct tritium patina, matching lume. Get independent authentication for purchases above $10,000
Finding the Right Explorer on eBay
- Category-aware search
Search within eBay's Jewelry & Watches category to exclude Explorer-branded clothing, accessories, and unrelated items.
- Price filtering
Set minimum and maximum price to focus on your target — Explorer I under $8,000, or a vintage 1016 above $20,000.
- Real-time results
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- Seller location
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Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Rolex Explorer cost?
Pre-owned Rolex Explorer I (124270, 36mm) sells for $7,000-$10,000 on eBay, with the discontinued 39mm (214270) at $7,500-$10,000. The Explorer II (226570, 42mm) ranges from $10,000-$14,000 for the white dial and $10,000-$13,000 for black. Vintage Explorer I references like the legendary 1016 start at $15,000 and can exceed $40,000 for gilt-dial examples.
Is a Rolex Explorer a good investment?
The Explorer I holds value exceptionally well — it typically retains 85-95% of retail price. Vintage models, especially the ref. 1016, have appreciated dramatically over the past decade. The Explorer II also holds value but not quite as strongly as the Explorer I. Among Rolex sport models, the Explorer I is one of the best values due to its lower retail entry point and strong collector demand.
Explorer I vs Explorer II — what's the difference?
The Explorer I is a time-only watch (no date, no complications) in a 36mm case with the iconic 3-6-9 dial — the purest, most minimalist Rolex you can buy. The Explorer II is a GMT watch with a 42mm case, date display, and fixed 24-hour bezel for tracking a second timezone. Choose the Explorer I for understated elegance and the Explorer II for travel utility and bold wrist presence.
What size is the Rolex Explorer?
The current Explorer I (124270) is 36mm, returning to the classic size after the 39mm 214270 was produced from 2010-2023. The Explorer II (226570) is 42mm. The 36mm Explorer I wears comfortably on wrists 6.0-7.5 inches, while the 42mm Explorer II suits wrists 7.0 inches and above.
Is the Rolex Explorer waterproof?
Both the Explorer I and Explorer II are rated to 100 meters (330 feet) water resistance with a screw-down Twinlock crown. This makes them suitable for swimming, showering, and recreational water activities. They are not dive watches (the Submariner goes to 300m), but 100m is more than adequate for daily wear including water exposure.
Why are vintage Rolex Explorers so expensive?
The vintage Explorer I ref. 1016 (produced 1963-1989) is prized for its connection to the 1953 Everest expedition, its association with Steve McQueen, and its remarkably long 26-year production run that created many dial variants. Gilt (glossy black) dials from the 1960s command the highest premiums — $30,000-$50,000+ for exceptional examples. Even standard tritium-dial 1016s have doubled in value over the past decade.
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