The Explorer II is Rolex's most underappreciated reference. While the Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Daytona command most of the collector attention and waitlist drama, the Explorer II delivers something different: a clean, legible instrument watch with a bold orange GMT hand, a 24-hour fixed bezel, and a 42mm case that wears larger than most modern Rolex sports watches. For collectors who want a Rolex that reads as genuinely purposeful without the ubiquity of the Sub or the price premium of the Daytona, the Explorer II super clone is a compelling choice.
The Explorer II Reference Overview
Rolex introduced the Explorer II in 1971 as a tool watch specifically designed for spelunkers and polar explorers who needed to distinguish day from night underground or at extreme latitudes where daylight is continuous for months. The fixed 24-hour bezel and GMT hand solved this problem elegantly.
The current reference 226570 was introduced in 2021 with a 42mm case, updated Caliber 3285, and a choice of white or black dial. Both dial variants use large, highly legible Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock — the only Rolex sports watch to use this numeral style. The orange 24-hour hand is one of the most distinctive hand designs in the modern Rolex lineup.
Explorer II vs GMT-Master II: Which Super Clone to Choose
The Explorer II and GMT-Master II share the same case size and movement architecture, and both track a second timezone. Choosing between them comes down to aesthetic preference and functionality.
The GMT-Master II has an independently adjustable GMT hand, allowing you to set a second timezone without stopping the movement. This is the most practically useful dual-timezone implementation. The ceramic two-tone bezel (Batman, Pepsi, Root Beer) is visually complex and immediately recognizable.
The Explorer II has a fixed 24-hour bezel that does not rotate. The GMT hand is set by pulling the crown to the first position and advancing it one hour at a time. This is a simpler mechanism. The aesthetic is more restrained — no color-divided bezel, just the dramatic orange hand against a white or black dial with bold numerals.
If you travel frequently and use the second-timezone function daily: GMT-Master II.
If you prefer a cleaner aesthetic with distinctive character that reads as understated to anyone who does not know Rolex well: Explorer II.
The Super Clone Quality at Jack Watches
The Explorer II 226570 clone uses the VS Factory cloned 3285 movement — the same caliber used in the GMT-Master II clone. This is important because the genuine 226570 uses the Caliber 3285 (not the 3235 of the Submariner), and the movement architecture is different enough that using a 3235-based movement in an Explorer II would be visible as incorrect to anyone who opens the case back.
The cloned 3285 provides the correct bidirectional winding efficiency, approximately 70-hour power reserve, and the independent GMT hand setting function. Regulated accuracy from the factory: plus or minus six seconds per day.
**White dial variant**: The white dial uses a rhodium sunray finish that catches light from the side and reads deep off-axis. The large Arabic numerals are applied with correct depth and sharpness. The orange GMT hand stands out correctly against the white background.
**Black dial variant**: The matte black dial is among the cleanest Rolex dial executions in the super clone market. Large numerals, high lume fill, orange hand — the contrast between elements is excellent.
Both variants use the Oyster bracelet with a solid Oysterlock clasp with Rolex Crown engravings.
Case Details
The 226570 case at 42mm is slightly larger than the 41mm Submariner. The bezel is engraved with 24-hour markings rather than the Sub's graduated diving scale. There is no ceramic bezel insert — the 24-hour markings are engraved directly into the polished steel bezel. This is a detail that the VS Factory renders correctly with clean, sharp engravings that do not fade with normal wear.
The case back is solid (no exhibition window), which is correct for the genuine reference. Engraving on the case back shows the same Rolex crown and reference information as the genuine.
What the Explorer II Clone Costs
White dial Oyster bracelet: $520 to $580
Black dial Oyster bracelet: $500 to $560
Both include QC photography and USA shipping via DHL or FedEx Priority.
Who the Explorer II Is For
The Explorer II is for the collector who:
- Wants a Rolex that is immediately recognizable to enthusiasts but not to casual observers
- Prefers large Arabic numerals over index markers for legibility
- Wants an oversized (relative to Sub/GMT) 42mm Rolex sports watch
- Appreciates the tool-watch design language over the sport-dress hybrid of the Submariner
It is not ideal for someone who wants the most common Rolex (Submariner), the most complex dual-timezone function (GMT-Master II), or a dress watch (Datejust). The Explorer II occupies a specific enthusiast niche and delivers it extremely well.
QC Checklist
**Bezel engraving**: 24-hour numerals should be clean with sharp edges, consistent depth, and no burrs at the numeral edges.
**Orange hand**: The GMT hand should have crisp lume fill in the arrowhead end and a correctly proportioned shaft. The orange PVD or enamel should be even with no chips or thin spots.
**Arabic numerals**: 3, 6, 9, and 12 applied indices should be perfectly perpendicular to the dial with clean edges at magnification.
**Lume plots**: Square plots at the non-numeral positions should be fully filled, level with the dial surface, and consistent in color.
**Bracelet**: Center links should have directional brushed finish. Oysterlock clasp should close firmly with the crown engraved correctly on the exterior.
Contact via WhatsApp to check current stock on the Explorer II. Both white and black dial variants are available for immediate dispatch.
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