Rolex Vault › All references › Explorer
Explorer · 1989 to 2011 · Discontinued
“Polar 16570”
Rank #27 of 113 rated pieces in the Rolex Vault
Market range: the middle half of 373 recorded eBay sales in the last 12 months.
Median recorded eBay sale price for each quarter with 3 or more sales. Dashed line marks the 1992 retail price.
Twenty-two years of the slimmest, most wearable Explorer II. The Polar dial with black surrounds is the configuration everyone pictures.
One of the best value discontinued sports Rolex left: under $10k with real collector demand.
The 90s Explorer II in Polar white, the configuration that turned a caver's tool into a style object. Tritium-dial early examples age into cream lume that collectors pay up for.
It spent decades as 'the affordable sports Rolex' at half Submariner money, then the market noticed everything affordable at once. Still the most watch-per-dollar route into neo-vintage sports Rolex, with drilled lugs until the early 2000s.
Our verdict: Underpriced for what it is. The Polar 16570 keeps grinding upward every small-watch, tool-watch cycle.
| Sizes | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet | Oystersteel (stainless) |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Fixed steel 24-hour |
| Notable dials | Polar white; Black; late 3186 'swan neck' examples carry premiums |
| Caliber | 3185 / 3186 |
| Production | 1989 to 2011 (discontinued) |
| Sold | Example | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $7,900 |
| Nov 3, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $6,800 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $7,450 |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $6,700 |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $6,925 |
| Oct 28, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $9,700 |
Recorded eBay completed sales, logged at our last data refresh.
Recorded eBay sales from the last 12 months put the typical Rolex Explorer II 16570 at $7,600, with the middle half selling between $7,000 and $8,300 (372 sales). Condition, box and papers move the price within that range.
The Crown Index grades it A (84/100) from real resale data, and today's call is wait for a dip. It holds its value well, but the market price is steep right now. Past prices are not a forecast.