Sell Your Rolex Explorer II Anywhere in the UK
If you want to sell your Rolex Explorer II anywhere in the UK, our postal buying service offers a direct, transparent route to same-day payment. Our buyers have spent more than 30 years acquiring Rolex watches from private sellers, estate executors, and collectors across the country. We buy every generation of the Explorer II — from early references such as the 1655 and 16550 through to the 16570, the enlarged 42mm 216570, and the current 226570. Whether your watch has its original box and papers or not, you can post it to us by Royal Mail Special Delivery and receive bank transfer the same day we confirm receipt. No need to travel to London. Sellers in Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, and beyond use our postal service regularly as the most straightforward route to the best price for a Rolex Explorer II.
Current buying range
Steel Explorer II references currently sell for £7,500–£10,500. White dial examples tend to carry a slight premium over black.
All Explorer II references — current buying prices
Buying ranges updated regularly. All figures assume a watch in good condition with original bracelet. Box and papers add value on every reference.
Ranges are indicative. Final offer confirmed after in-house appraisal. Request a valuation →
About the Rolex Explorer II
The Rolex Explorer II was introduced in 1971, some 18 years after its predecessor — the original Explorer — had been worn to the summit of Everest. Where the first Explorer was conceived for mountaineers and adventurers operating above ground, the Explorer II was developed with a very different extreme environment in mind: the underground. The model was designed in close consultation with cavers and speleologists who faced a specific navigational problem — inside a cave or a polar research station where the sun never sets, distinguishing daytime hours from night-time hours by looking at a watch dial is impossible. The Explorer II's solution was a fixed 24-hour bezel and a central 24-hour hand, allowing the wearer to read AM and PM at a glance without any ambiguity.
The reference history of the Explorer II maps a clear evolution over five decades. The original reference 1655, produced from 1971 to 1985, featured an outsized orange 24-hour hand — a design so distinctive it earned the nickname Freccione (big arrow) among collectors — paired with a matte dial and a fixed stainless steel bezel engraved with 24-hour markers. The reference 16550 arrived in 1984 and introduced the sapphire crystal and a cream or white dial option alongside the black; this cream-dial variant is particularly sought after today. The reference 16570, produced from 1989 to 2011, became the definitive modern Explorer II for a generation and is the most commonly encountered reference on the secondary market. Rolex enlarged the case significantly with the reference 216570 in 2011 — moving from 40 mm to 42 mm and introducing a redesigned dial — and then refreshed the model again in 2021 with the current reference 226570, which added a new bracelet construction and updated movement.
French scientist Michel Siffre became closely associated with the Explorer II through his extraordinary isolation experiments in the 1960s and 1970s. Siffre spent extended periods underground in caves — first in the Scarasson glacial cave in 1962 and then in a Texas cave in 1972 — deliberately severing himself from sunlight and external time cues to study human circadian rhythms. The fixed 24-hour bezel of the Explorer II was a direct response to the navigational problem he and fellow researchers encountered underground: the inability to distinguish a 3 on a standard dial as 3 am or 3 pm. Antarctic and Arctic researchers adopted the watch for the same reason, finding the 24-hour display indispensable during polar summer and winter, when the sun offers no reliable time reference for months at a stretch.
What affects the value of your Explorer II?
- Reference generation — the 1655, 16550, 16570, 216570 and 226570 each occupy a distinct price tier, with the original 1655 and current 226570 commanding premiums over the mid-generation 16570
- Dial colour and variant — on the 16570 and 216570, white dials and black dials carry different market values; the cream tropical dial on early 16550 examples is particularly desirable to collectors
- Original orange 24-hour hand on reference 1655 — the Freccione hand is a defining characteristic; replacement hands substantially reduce collector value
- Case and bracelet condition — an unpolished case with original surfaces and a bracelet with minimal stretch is worth materially more than a heavily worn or repolished example
- Completeness of set — box, chronometer papers, warranty card, and all original booklets add a meaningful premium, especially on references 216570 and 226570
- Service and movement history — Rolex-stamped service records or reputable independent service documentation supports value; evidence of heavy servicing or case-opening without documentation has the opposite effect
- Steel versus two-tone — the reference 16570 was produced in stainless steel and in a steel-and-yellow-gold Rolesor combination; two-tone examples carry a separate valuation from their all-steel counterparts
Common questions
How much is a Rolex Explorer II worth in the UK?
Value depends heavily on the reference, condition, and whether box and papers are present. As of mid-2026, a reference 16570 in good condition typically achieves £3,500 to £5,500, with full-set examples at the higher end. The larger reference 216570 generally sits between £6,000 and £9,000 depending on dial colour (black or white) and condition. The current reference 226570 commands a premium closer to retail. Early references such as the 1655 with the original orange hand can exceed £15,000 in collector-grade condition. We provide a precise figure based on your specific watch.
Where is the best place to sell a Rolex Explorer II in London?
Specialist watch buyers in London consistently outperform general auction houses, online marketplaces, and high-street jewellers for Explorer II valuations. A dedicated buyer such as Knightsbridge Watch Company understands the reference-by-reference nuances — dial variants on the 16570, the desirability premium on a cream-dial 16550, the difference between a transitional and late 216570 — and prices accordingly. You also receive immediate payment rather than waiting weeks for an auction to settle, and there are no seller's premiums or fees deducted from your offer.
How long does it take to sell a Rolex Explorer II?
Selling to a specialist watch buyer in London is typically completed in a single appointment. You bring your Explorer II to our Knightsbridge premises, our buyer examines the watch, and we make you a cash offer on the spot. If you accept, payment is made the same day — by bank transfer or cash — and the transaction is complete. There is no waiting for online bids, no postal risk, and no delay for auction scheduling. Most sellers are in and out within 30 to 45 minutes.
Do I need the box and papers to sell my Rolex Explorer II?
No. We buy Explorer II references with and without original box and papers. A complete set — box, outer box, chronometer certificate, warranty card, and booklets — will increase the value of your watch, sometimes meaningfully so on sought-after references such as a full-set 16570 or a 216570. However, the watch itself is assessed on its own merits: case condition, bracelet stretch, dial integrity, crystal clarity, and service history where available. If you have partial documentation, bring whatever you have — it all contributes to the valuation.
Which Rolex Explorer II references are most valuable?
Among older references, the original 1655 with the orange Freccione hand is the most collectable, particularly in unpolished cases with original dials. The cream-dial reference 16550 attracts strong collector interest. Among modern references, full-set 216570 examples in white dial — especially early production runs — and new reference 226570 watches with full original packaging command the highest prices. Condition and originality matter enormously: a lightly worn bracelet and an unpolished case will consistently outperform a heavily worn example regardless of reference.
Can I sell a Rolex Explorer II that has been serviced or modified?
Yes, though any non-factory modifications will affect the valuation. A watch serviced by Rolex or a reputable independent watchmaker with accompanying documentation is entirely sellable and the service history can be a positive. However, aftermarket dials, non-original bezels, or replacement hands will reduce value compared with an all-original example. We assess each watch individually and explain clearly how any modifications affect our offer, so you have a full picture before making a decision.
Why sell your Rolex Explorer II to us?
Rolex specialists since 1995
We price the Explorer II using daily grey-market data. No guesswork — our offer reflects what buyers are actually paying right now.
Same-day cash payment
Agree a price and receive payment the same day by bank transfer. No auctions, no waiting, no consignment.
No commission, no fees
The figure we quote is the figure you receive. We do not deduct a percentage or charge a listing fee.
All conditions considered
No papers, scratched case, missing bracelet — we assess every Explorer II on its merits. Bring it in regardless of condition.
Complete discretion
Private sellers. No public listings. Every sale is handled with the same care and confidentiality as any high-value transaction.
Free UK postal service
Post your watch to us from anywhere in the UK — we provide a pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery label. No need to travel to London.
How to sell your Rolex Explorer II
Contact us with your details
Send your reference number, a few photos of the dial, case, and caseback, and whether you have box and papers. Use the form below or call us directly on 07733 333 212.
Receive a firm written offer
We review your Explorer II against current grey-market pricing and come back the same day with a firm offer. No vague estimates — a number you can act on.
Get paid immediately
Accept our offer, post your watch to us by Royal Mail Special Delivery (pre-paid label provided), and receive full payment the same day we receive it by bank transfer.
Get a free valuation for your Explorer II
Tell us your reference number and condition. We respond the same day with a firm offer — no obligation to proceed.