Live inspection and Why the Explorer II Is Built Differently

Why the Rolex Explorer II Is a Favorite Among Military Professionals

We get this question more often than you might think: “Why do so many people in the military choose the Rolex Explorer II?”

A recent visit answered that question perfectly.

A repeat customer — a member of the U.S. military from Maryland — reached out to us again. We’ve worked together before, so when he said he was stopping by, we already knew what kind of transaction this would be: straightforward, efficient, and built on trust.

He came in with a 2023 Rolex Explorer II, reference 226570.

The Inspection Comes First

Before numbers are ever discussed, we inspect — every time.

We examined the case, bezel, bracelet, dial, and lume. We verified the serial and reference numbers, checked movement performance, and ensured everything matched Rolex factory specifications.

Everything checked out exactly as it should — which isn’t surprising. The Explorer II isn’t a watch that rewards neglect.

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What Makes the Explorer II Different?

The Explorer II has never been about flash. It was originally designed for professionals working in environments where day and night blur together — caves, polar regions, extended missions.

The modern Explorer II 226570, introduced in 2021, keeps that tool-watch DNA while upgrading everything under the hood.

• 42mm Oystersteel case — corrosion resistant and built for daily wear
• Fixed 24-hour bezel — functional, not decorative
• Orange GMT hand — tracks a second time zone at a glance
• Rolex Caliber 3285 with 70-hour power reserve and Superlative Chronometer accuracy

The Offer

After completing our inspection, we reviewed current market pricing for the Explorer II 226570, recent transaction data, overall demand, and the specific condition of this watch. Based on those factors, we made an offer of $8,500.

Why Stories Like This Matter

Watches like the Explorer II don’t usually show up randomly.

They’re often tied to:

• Career milestones
• Long deployments
• Promotions
• Personal rewards after hard years

And sometimes selling a watch isn’t about regret — it’s simply about closing one chapter and starting another.

We’re grateful when customers come back to us, especially those who serve, because trust in this business isn’t given — it’s earned.

And watches like the Explorer II remind us why Rolex still builds watches for people who actually use them.