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Rolex Explorer II vs Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch

Buy the Explorer II 226570 if you want a simpler, tougher-feeling steel sports watch with a fixed steel bezel and a white dial that reads clearly. Buy the GMT-Master II 126710BLNR if you want a second time zone and the blue-black ceramic bezel. The Explorer II is listed at $159 at Distritech as of November 3; the GMT-Master II's lowest recent daily price was $11,800 on November 2, against a high of $20,000 on October 31.

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Rolex
Rolex Explorer II

Rolex Explorer II

5· 9 ratings

Choose the Explorer II if you want a 42 mm steel watch with a fixed 24-hour bezel, a white dial and no rotating bezel to knock out of position.

Pros
  • White dial is very legible in daylight and low light
  • Fixed bezel cannot be turned by accident
  • 42 mm case with Oysterlock clasp and roughly 5 mm comfort extension
Comes with original box, warranty papers and a 2-year dealer warranty
Cons
  • No independently adjustable hour hand
  • Fixed bezel limits it to one 24-hour reference
  • 42 mm may wear smaller than expected for some wrists
  • No rotating bezel for tracking a third time zone
Rolex
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch

Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch

Choose the GMT-Master II if you travel across time zones and want a rotating blue-black ceramic bezel plus an independently set hour hand.

Pros
  • Rotating blue-black ceramic bezel tracks a second time zone
  • Jumping hour hand makes changing zones quick
  • Ceramic insert resists scratches and fading
  • Black dial with Chromalight lume is easy to read at night
Cons
  • Costs far more than the Explorer II
  • Bezel can be knocked out of alignment
  • No comfort extension listed on the clasp
  • 40 mm case may feel small to some buyers

What separates them

Rolex Explorer IIRolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch
Second time zoneFixed steel 24-hour bezel read with the arrow hand; no rotating bezelBidirectional rotating 24-hour Cerachrom bezel in blue and black
Hour hand settingStandard hour, minute and seconds setting via the crownHour hand jumps forward or back independently without stopping the watch
Case size42 mm40 mm
DialWhite polar dial with black markersBlack dial with Chromalight hands and markers
Bezel materialSteel, fixedCeramic insert, scratch resistant and colorfast
Water resistance100 m (330 ft)100 m (330 ft)
BraceletOyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp and about 5 mm comfort extensionOyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp
Price$159 at Distritech as of November 3Lowest recent daily price $11,800 on November 2; high $20,000 on October 31

Price history

$20,000.00$10,600.00
Oct 30Nov 2
  • Rolex Explorer II: lowest $10,600.00 on Oct 30 at Sissy's Log Cabin.
  • Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch: lowest $11,800.00 on Nov 2 at Springer's.

Prices at every store

Rolex Explorer II

  • Huntington WatchCheck price at Huntington Watch
  • Marc SamuelsCheck price at Marc Samuels
  • Sissy's Log CabinCheck price at Sissy's Log Cabin
Prices and history →

Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch

  • Speak Easy JewelryCheck price at Speak Easy Jewelry
  • Springer'sCheck price at Springer's
  • Wrist AficionadoCheck price at Wrist Aficionado
Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecRolex Explorer IIRolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch
Case diameter42 mm—
Case materialOystersteel—
Dial colorblack—
24-hour handarrow-shaped 24-hour hand—
LuminescenceChromalight display—
BraceletOyster bracelet—
ClaspOysterlock folding clasp—
Comfort extensionapproximately 5 mm—
Water resistance100 metres (330 feet)—
Crystalsapphire—
Movementcalibre 3285—

What reviewers say

Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Watch

Owners and reviewers consistently rate the 126710BLNR as one of the most wearable Rolex GMTs, praising the independent hour hand, the ceramic bezel and the Jubilee bracelet's comfort. Criticism centers on secondary-market pricing and the difficulty of buying at retail.

Pros
  • Independent hour hand is genuinely useful for travel
  • Cerachrom bezel looks sharp and holds up over years
  • Jubilee bracelet is comfortable for daily wear
  • Lume and legibility are excellent
Cons
  • Secondary prices far exceed retail
  • Hard to get from authorized dealers
  • Polished links show scratches
  • Date setting is slower without a quick-set

Questions and answers

Which is better for frequent travel?
The GMT-Master II. Its rotating 24-hour bezel and independently jumping hour hand let you track home time and reset local time without stopping the watch. The Explorer II reads a second zone only against its fixed bezel.
Is the Explorer II worth it over the GMT-Master II?
If you do not need a second time zone, yes. The Explorer II is simpler, has a fixed bezel that cannot be moved, and its listed price of $159 at Distritech as of November 3 is far below the GMT-Master II's recent low of $11,800.
Which wears larger?
The Explorer II, at 42 mm against the GMT-Master II's 40 mm. Some owners say the Explorer II's 42 mm feels smaller than expected, so try both on if size matters.
Do both have the same water resistance?
Yes. Both are rated to 100 m (330 ft), which covers swimming and showering but not diving.
Which holds its value better?
The GMT-Master II generally trades at a premium over retail, and its recent daily prices ran from $11,800 to $20,000. The Explorer II is the more affordable steel sports Rolex and typically trades closer to its retail price.
Which has the more useful bezel?
The GMT-Master II's rotating ceramic bezel, because you can set it to any 24-hour reference. The Explorer II's steel bezel is fixed, so it only works with the printed scale.