Rolex Vault › All references › Explorer
Explorer · 2021 to present
“Polar / Black”
Rank #52 of 113 rated pieces in the Rolex Vault
Market range: the middle half of 191 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 2026 retail price.
The spelunker's Rolex with a 24-hour hand and the cult-favorite Polar white dial.
Quietly appreciating as the market rediscovers it; the Polar consistently outsells black.
The Explorer II was built for cave explorers, people who literally cannot tell day from night, which is why the fixed 24-hour bezel and orange hand exist. The Polar white dial, with black-outlined markers, is the configuration most associated with the model.
At 42mm with a 3285 and a 70-hour reserve it's the most watch per dollar in the current sports lineup, and it is rarely hyped, though it still trades modestly above retail.
Our verdict: Sleeper. Small but steady premium with low downside, and Polar demand keeps climbing.
| Sizes | 42mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet | Oystersteel (stainless) |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Fixed steel 24-hour |
| Notable dials | White 'Polar'; Black |
| Caliber | 3285 |
| Production | 2021 to present |
| Sold | Example | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $12,500 |
| Nov 3, 2026 | New/unworn · eBay sale ↗︎ | $13,000 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $8,300 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $10,000 |
| Nov 1, 2026 | New/unworn · eBay sale ↗︎ | $13,599 |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $10,801 |
Recorded eBay completed sales, logged at our last data refresh.
Recorded eBay sales from the last 12 months put the typical Rolex Explorer II 226570 at $11,400, with the middle half selling between $10,500 and $12,500 (184 sales). Condition, box and papers move the price within that range.
Yes. The typical sale of $11,400 is about 8% above the $10,600 retail price.
The Crown Index grades it B+ (77/100) from real resale data, and today's call is hold. Solid resale, with limited room to grow from today's price. Past prices are not a forecast.