Rolex Explorer II 216570

“Polar 216570”

Grade A: strong buy-and-holdToday's call · Wait for a dip

Short termunder 1 yearStrongMid term1 to 3 yearsStrongLong term3+ yearsStrong

Rank #29 of 113 rated pieces in the Rolex Vault

US retail (2020)$8,350

Typical sale today$9,300Typical range $8,600 to $10,000

Vs retail+11%

1-year-2%

Market range: the middle half of 187 recorded eBay sales in the last 12 months.

Open in the interactive VaultLive eBay listings ↗︎

Market price history

Median recorded eBay sale price for each quarter with 3 or more sales. Dashed line marks the us retail (2020).

Investment scorecard

Momentum45Measured price direction: the median recorded sale of the last 4 months against the median of 8 to 12 months ago. 50 means flat; small samples are pulled toward 50.

Liquidity94How easily it sells: recorded sales in the last 12 months (300 or more scores 100) and eBay's 90-day sell-through rate.

Scarcity72Demand against supply. For modern pieces, how far the market sits above or below current retail, plus a lift if production has ended. For vintage, how rarely one comes up for sale.

Value entry53Where the latest quarter's median sale sits inside its own 3-year range. Buying near the low scores high; buying at the high scores low.

Condition safety82How safe a typical example is: the age of the design, plus how tightly sale prices cluster (a wide spread means condition and originality swing the price).

The story

The Explorer II grew to 42mm for its 40th anniversary in 2011 and brought back the bright orange 24-hour hand from the 1971 original. It was the first time in decades the model looked as bold as the cave-exploring watch it started as.

The 3187 movement uses a Parachrom blue hairspring and the Chromalight lume glows blue, a nice detail you only notice in the dark.

Replaced in 2021 by the 226570, which looks almost identical, so this generation trades as a slightly cheaper twin rather than a collected 'last of' reference.

Either way it is the cheapest route into a modern 42mm Explorer II.

Our verdict: Honest value, not a grower. Buy it to wear; the near-identical successor caps its upside.

Configurations

Sizes	42mm
Case & bracelet	Oystersteel (stainless)
Factory bracelet	Oyster
Factory bezels	Fixed steel 24-hour
Notable dials	White 'Polar'; Black
Caliber	3187
Production	2011 to 2021 (discontinued)

Recent recorded sales

Sold	Example	Price
Nov 3, 2026	Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎	$9,600
Nov 2, 2026	Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎	$16,250
Nov 1, 2026	Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎	$8,950
Oct 29, 2026	Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎	$8,900
Oct 28, 2026	Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎	$9,300
Oct 28, 2026	Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎	$10,050

Recorded eBay completed sales, logged at our last data refresh.

If you like this one

Polar 1657016570 · Grade A Explorer 39214270 · Grade A Explorer 224270224270 · Grade B Neo-Vintage Explorer14270 · Grade B

See the Polar 216570 in the Vault Browse all references

Quick answers

How much is a Rolex Explorer II 216570 worth?

Recorded eBay sales from the last 12 months put the typical Rolex Explorer II 216570 at $9,300, with the middle half selling between $8,600 and $10,000 (187 sales). Condition, box and papers move the price within that range.

Does the Rolex Explorer II 216570 sell above retail?

Yes. The typical sale of $9,300 is about 11% above the $8,350 retail (2020).

Is the Rolex Explorer II 216570 a good investment?

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.