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Is the Rolex Explorer 2 a GMT?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Mar 13, 2026

Is the Rolex Explorer 2 a GMT?

From the mid-eighties onwards, the Rolex Explorer II line evolved from the 16550 to the 16570 to the 216570 and each of these references are indeed GMT watches, often referred to as dual time watches.

In this regard, is the Rolex Explorer II A GMT?

Sporty in design, fashioned from stainless steel, equipped with dual time functionality, and less expensive than GMT-Master models, the Explorer II is a Rolex GMT watch with plenty to offer.

Similarly, how does the Rolex Explorer II work? The Explorer II has a fixed bezel with a 24-hour track laid across it and a 24-hour hand that moves around the track once per day. The regular hour hand can be set independently of both the minute and 24-hour hand to display a second time zone.

Also question is, is a Rolex Explorer 2 A Good Investment?

The Rolex Explorer II has always sold well enough for Rolex. But it's never been as popular as the brand's other tool watches. This is due to its distinct aesthetic and narrower target market. Still, you get excellent value for your money.

Is Rolex Explorer worth buying?

So, here's our argument for the Rolex explorer as the best sports model. It tells time, and it does it with great legibility. It has a sleek case that remains one of the only Rolex sport models to not receive the super case treatment, and a robust movement that can take a beating; nothing superfluous.

What is the best Rolex to own?

12 Of The Best Rolex Watches To Buy In 2020
  • Rolex Submariner.
  • Rolex Daytona.
  • Rolex Sky-Dweller.
  • Rolex GMT Master ii.
  • Rolex Day-Date 40.
  • Rolex Sea-Dweller.
  • Rolex DateJust 41.
  • Rolex Yacht-Master ii.

Is Rolex cheaper in Switzerland?

- The INITIAL cost of a Rolex is SLIGHTLY Cheaper in Switzerland than in Scandinavia. - The VAT refund in Scandinavian countries is BY FAR more generous than that of Switzerland's, resulting in Scandinavia being "CHEAPER than Switzerland to purchase a NEW Rolex."

Is Rolex Explorer 2 waterproof?

Lastly, the Explorer II is waterproof up to 100 metres/330 feet. The Rolex Explorer II is a watch intended for those who are pushing the limits.

Is a Rolex a good investment?

You might also initially think that a brand new Rolex model is a better investment than a used model. Yet, a brand new watch loses a substantial amount of value the moment it is purchased – just like with a car. For this reason, strangely, a second hand steel sports Rolex can actually be one of the safest investments.

How much is a Rolex Explorer 2?

How much is a Rolex Explorer II?
ModelPrice (approx.)Size
Ref. 165543,900 USD40 mm
Ref. 1655022,300 USD40 mm
Ref. 165707,400 USD40 mm
Ref. 21657007,900 USD42 mm

Does Rolex Explorer 2 hold value?

Resale Value

A second-hand Rolex Explorer II today is worth double of the official sales price from back in 1994. Discounted over the last 22 years, the average annual gain in value amounts to 3.2%. The value of a new watch falls down to its market value after purchase.

Will Rolex Explorer increase in value?

The value of the Rolex Explorer has grown by 269% between 1994 and 2016, meaning it has almost quadrupled. In total, the price increased by 4,000 € during this time. Over the last 10 years, the average growth has been 236 € or 5.2% per year.

VALUE DEVELOPMENT.

YearRolex ExplorerPortfolio Luxury Watches
20175,900€4,324€

What is the Rolex Explorer 2?

In 1971, Rolex unveiled the Explorer II as the larger sibling to the original Explorer I wristwatch. The inaugural reference was the Explorer II ref. 1655, sporting a 39mm stainless steel case and matching steel bracelet.

Which watch is the best investment?

The 5 best watches to invest in:
  1. Tudor Heritage Black Bay. A new addition to the Heritage Black Bay family this diver's watch in stainless steel draws its characteristic elements from Tudor's history.
  2. Rolex Submariner.
  3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Automatic.
  4. Omega Seamaster 300m.
  5. Panerai Luminor Base.

Why Rolex is so expensive?

A Rolex watch has very high in-house development costs in design and craftsmanship. It not only costs a lot to develop the design of the movements and assemble them, but the materials used in the actual construction are also not cheap either. Rolex even has its own R and D lab department, well several.

What is Oystersteel?

OYSTERSTEEL. A Rolex watch must work perfectly and maintain its beauty even in the harshest environments. That is why Rolex uses Oystersteel, a steel alloy specific to the brand. Oystersteel belongs to the 904L steel family, which is particularly resistant to corrosion and acquires an exceptional sheen when polished.

Why is Rolex Daytona so expensive?

Dowling attributes much of the watch's slowly earned popularity to the laws of supply and demand. Hardly anyone was interested in buying them, so Rolex didn't produce as many. The brand didn't do it on purpose, but pulling back production it created what feels like a super-limited and scarce item.

Is the Rolex Hulk a good investment?

First of all, the Rolex Hulk is one of Rolex's most popular watches ever. So, that automatically makes it a good investment. Those who were lucky enough to buy one new would have more than a 100% return on investment now.

How do you adjust a Rolex Explorer II bracelet?

To use the Glidelock clasp function to adjust your Rolex bracelet's size, pop open the adjustable side of the bracelet from the clasp and then glide it back and forth until you find a size suitable for your wrist. Then, simply click the clasp back in place.

What is the orange hand on the Rolex Explorer?

The Explorer II features a date display, an additional orange 24-hour hand and a fixed bezel with 24-hour graduations, enabling day to be distinguished from night. It became the watch of choice for speleologists, volcanologists and polar explorers.

How does 24 Hour Bezel work?

The bezel on a GMT watch is marked in 24 equal increments, becoming the chapter ring for the watch's 24-hour GMT hand. To use this bezel, set the hour marker on the bezel opposite the 24-hour hand for the time zone you want to track. It's that easy. Just remember that a 24-hour hand only goes around once a day.

How do you wind a Rolex Explorer 2?

To wind the watch manually, unscrew the winding crown completely, then turn it several times clockwise. (Turning in the other direction has no effect.) A minimum of 25 turns is required for adequate partial winding. The watch will then be wound automatically as long as it is worn on the wrist.

How does Rolex GMT bezel work?

The GMT hand makes one complete trip around the dial every 24 hours. This hand, in conjunction with the bezel, is what you use to tell time in two different time zones at once. With the bezel set straight up at 12 o'clock, the GMT hand is going to read the same time as the hour and minute hands.

How do you wind a Rolex Explorer?

To wind the watch manually, unscrew the winding crown completely, then turn it several times clockwise. (Turning in the other direction has no effect.) A minimum of 25 turns is required for adequate partial winding. The watch will then be wound automatically as long as it is worn on the wrist.

How do you read a GMT bezel?

Rotate the bezel for the number of hours ahead or behind the second time zone is from local time. As you turn the bezel, you'll feel a little click as you shift the 24-hour markers. You want to rotate the bezel for each hour difference. Turn the bezel to the left for second time zones ahead of your local time.

What is the 4th hand on my watch?

The fourth hand points to the UTC hour, allowing for timed coordination over multiple time zones. The hand will travel around the face of the watch once every 24 hours.

What is a true GMT watch?

"True" GMT/Traveler's GMT is defined as a mechanical watch with a GMT or dual time function that has an hour-hand that can be set independently in one-hour increments without hacking the movement.

How do you use a 12 hour bezel?

However, if you have a watch with a rotating bezel and 12 hour markers, congratulations: you can use it to track the time in a second time zone without the need for a GMT movement: Just align the bezel's hour markers to correspond to the time difference that's relevant to you, and presto: you can read the local time by