Pre-owned Rolex Explorer: UK prices and what to check
The Explorer is the simplest Rolex sports watch: a black dial with 3, 6 and 9, no date and a plain steel bezel. Buying one pre-owned in the UK is safest through Rolex Certified Pre-Owned at an authorised dealer, or a marketplace with escrow and authentication; below are the references, what to check on this model, and where to look.
Updated 6 Nov 2026. Watches aren't investments; prices fall as well as rise.
New vs pre-owned
Rolex doesn't publish UK prices online; ask an authorised dealer.
UK pre-owned price index coming soon.
References
| Ref | Made | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 124270 | 2021– | 36mm, calibre 3230 |
| 224270 | 2023– | 40mm |
| 214270 | 2010–2021 | 39mm |
| 114270 | 2001–2010 | 36mm |
| 14270 | 1989–2001 | 36mm |
Why people buy it
The Explorer is the simplest Rolex sports watch: a black dial with 3, 6 and 9, no date and a plain steel bezel. It suits almost any wrist and outfit and is often bought as a first Rolex.
What to check on a pre-owned Explorer
- Size: 36mm (124270, 114270, 14270), 39mm (214270) or 40mm (224270). Check the reference so you get the size you want.
- 214270 dial: early 214270s have shorter hands that don't reach the markers; later ones (from about 2016) have longer hands and lume on the 3, 6 and 9. Both are genuine, but the dial should match the hands.
- Lume: check the markers glow evenly; mismatched lume can mean replaced hands or dial.
- Case polish: the plain bezel and lugs show heavy polishing easily.
- Bracelet: check stretch and that the clasp closes firmly.
- Papers and serial: the serial on the papers should match the watch.
More on buying safely: our pre-owned guide.
Where to buy
Dealer links may earn us a commission; it never decides what we recommend.
Questions
How much is a pre-owned Rolex Explorer in the UK?
It depends on the reference, condition, and whether it has its box and papers. We're building a UK pre-owned price index from authenticated listings; until then, compare like-for-like listings on Chrono24 and eBay's Authenticity Guarantee.
Is it safe to buy a Rolex Explorer pre-owned?
It can be, if you buy from an authorised pre-owned programme, an established dealer, or a marketplace that holds your money in escrow and authenticates the watch. Check the serial against the papers, ask for service history, and never pay a stranger by bank transfer.
What should I check before buying a used Explorer?
Size: 36mm (124270, 114270, 14270), 39mm (214270) or 40mm (224270). Check the reference so you get the size you want. 214270 dial: early 214270s have shorter hands that don't reach the markers; later ones (from about 2016) have longer hands and lume on the 3, 6 and 9. Both are genuine, but the dial should match the hands. Lume: check the markers glow evenly; mismatched lume can mean replaced hands or dial.
Does a pre-owned Rolex Explorer hold its value?
Some models have sold above their new price for long spells, but watches aren't investments: prices fall as well as rise. Buy one because you want to wear it.
What is Rolex Certified Pre-Owned?
Rolex's own pre-owned programme: second-hand Rolex watches checked by an authorised dealer under Rolex's rules and sold with a Rolex guarantee. In the UK, authorised dealers including Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb sell them. They cost more than a typical private sale, but you know what you're getting.