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Rolex Explorer Auction Records & Realized Prices

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92+
Records
$179,200
Highest Sale (page)
$66,198
Avg Price (page)
$3,000 - $50,000+
Typical Range

Rolex Explorer Auction Results

92+ total — showing 12
ROLEX EXPLORER II REF 216570 A STAINLESS STEEL WRIST WATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET SOLD 2018
$13,000
LEONARD JOEL, Melbourne, Australia · Mar 2026

ROLEX EXPLORER II REF 216570 A STAINLESS STEEL WRIST WATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET SOLD 2018

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ROLEX | EXPLORER II "STEVE MCQUEEN", REF.1655, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH WITH 24-HOUR INDICATION AND DATE, CIRCA 1982
$179,200
BONHAMS AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS, Hong Kong, Admiralty · Nov 2023

ROLEX | EXPLORER II "STEVE MCQUEEN", REF.1655, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH WITH 24-HOUR INDICATION AND DATE, CIRCA 1982

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ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570U, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1997
$46,080
BONHAMS AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS, Online, Hong Kong · Sep 2023

ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570U, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1997

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ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME ZONE BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 2001
$70,125
BONHAMS AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS, Hong Kong, Admiralty · Apr 2023

ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME ZONE BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 2001

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ROLEX | EXPLORER, REF.14270, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH, CIRCA 1995
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ROLEX | EXPLORER, REF.14270, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH, CIRCA 1995

ROLEX | EXPLORER II "POLAR", REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME ZONE BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1998
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ROLEX | EXPLORER II "POLAR", REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME ZONE BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1998

ROLEX | EXPLORER "MK 3", REF.1016, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH, CIRCA 1975
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ROLEX | EXPLORER "MK 3", REF.1016, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH, CIRCA 1975

ROLEX | EXPLORER II "STEVE MCQUEEN", REF.1655, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH WITH 24-HOUR INDICATION AND DATE, CIRCA 1973
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ROLEX | EXPLORER II "STEVE MCQUEEN", REF.1655, A STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH WITH 24-HOUR INDICATION AND DATE, CIRCA 1973

ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1995
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ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1995

ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1999
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ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REF.16570, A STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TIME BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE, CIRCA 1999

ROLEX. A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, 24 HOUR HAND AND BRACELET SIGNED ROLEX, EXPLORER II, STEVE MCQUEEN MODEL, REF. 1655, CASE NO. 3'299'867, CIRCA 1973
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ROLEX. A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, 24 HOUR HAND AND BRACELET SIGNED ROLEX, EXPLORER II, STEVE MCQUEEN MODEL, REF. 1655, CASE NO. 3'299'867, CIRCA 1973

ROLEX. A RARE AND CHARMING STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC DUAL TIME WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, 24 HOUR HAND, 'CREAM' DIAL AND BRACELET SIGNED ROLEX, EXPLORER II MODEL, REF. 16550, CASE NO. 9'148'210, CIRCA 1986
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ROLEX. A RARE AND CHARMING STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC DUAL TIME WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, 24 HOUR HAND, 'CREAM' DIAL AND BRACELET SIGNED ROLEX, EXPLORER II MODEL, REF. 16550, CASE NO. 9'148'210, CIRCA 1986

Rolex Explorer Values Explained

The Explorer was developed in connection with the 1953 British Everest expedition and has been in continuous production since, making it the oldest active Rolex model. Its clean, legible 3-6-9 dial has never changed. The vintage ref 1016 (1963-1989) is the most collected Explorer — it was produced for 26 years, but early examples with gilt dials and specific configuration are worth many times more than later versions. The Explorer II "Steve McQueen" ref 1655 with the orange 24-hour hand is among the most distinctive vintage Rolex references.

Notable Reference Numbers

6098 (Prototype) 6150 6350 1016 (Long-running classic) 14270 114270 214270 124270 (Current) 1655 (Explorer II, Steve McQueen) 216570 (Explorer II, current)
Auction Record
$47,880 (Ref 1016, gilt dial, Phillips 2020)

Rolex Explorer — Frequently Asked Questions

The ref 1016 was produced from 1963 to 1989 — an unusually long production run. Within that span, early examples (late 1960s-early 1970s) with gilt dials, "underline" text, and specific bezel configurations are the most valuable. Key details: gilt vs matte dial (gilt is earlier and worth more), lug width, and whether the chapter ring has been replaced. A standard 1016 in good condition: $5,000-$12,000. A pristine early gilt dial example: $20,000-$48,000.

The Explorer II ref 1655 (1971-1984) featured a bold orange 24-hour hand and an orange 24-hour scale, designed for cave explorers to distinguish AM from PM. Steve McQueen owned one, creating the popular nickname — though the watch is often misattributed to him in auction marketing. The 1655 is highly collectible for its distinctive look; examples in original condition with the "Freccione" (big arrow) hand sell for $12,000-$35,000.

The Explorer is one of the more stable Rolex models at auction — it doesn't have the explosive speculative premium of a steel Daytona, but it also doesn't crash. Modern Explorers (ref 114270, 214270, 124270) typically sell on the secondary market at 110-130% of retail. Vintage examples hold their value well due to the model's iconic status. Ref 1016 in original condition has appreciated steadily over the past decade.

Explorer I (current ref 124270, 36mm) is the original — a clean, legible 3-6-9 dial sports watch with no complications beyond the time. Explorer II (current ref 216570, 42mm) adds a 24-hour hand and fixed bezel with AM/PM scale, originally designed for cave explorers who couldn't see daylight. At auction, the Explorer I ref 1016 commands higher premiums than equivalent Explorer II references due to its historical significance and iconic simplicity.
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