The Rolex Explorer 224270 is the 40 mm Explorer introduced at Watches and Wonders 2023: an Oystersteel three-hander with a black dial, the 3-6-9 Arabic numerals the model has carried since 1953, the calibre 3230 with 70 hours of power reserve, and an Oyster bracelet with the Easylink extension. It sits beside the 36 mm 124270 in the current catalogue and replaced the 39 mm 214270 that Rolex retired in 2021. This guide covers the specifications, the three sizes and which to choose, retail and dealer prices in 2026, and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the 224270 to order; the Explorer collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 19, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Rolex Explorer 224270 specifications
| Attribute | 224270 |
|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm Oystersteel, about 11.6 mm thick, roughly 47.5 mm lug to lug, 20 mm lug width; smooth bezel, screw-down Twinlock crown |
| Movement | Calibre 3230, automatic, Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, 70 hours power reserve, Superlative Chronometer to plus or minus 2 seconds a day |
| Dial | Black lacquer, applied 3-6-9 numerals and markers filled with Chromalight, no date |
| Crystal | Sapphire, no Cyclops |
| Bracelet | Oyster three-piece links, Oysterlock safety clasp, Easylink 5 mm extension |
| Water resistance | 100 m (330 ft) |
| Siblings | 124270 (36 mm, 2021 to date); 214270 (39 mm, 2010 to 2021) |
Source: Rolex, Explorer 40 224270; the Explorer collection page lists both current sizes.
Why did Rolex bring back a 40 mm Explorer?
The Explorer was 36 mm from 1953 to 2010, grew to 39 mm with the 214270, and went back to 36 mm with the 124270 in 2021. That left buyers who liked the 39 mm watch without a current option, and the 224270 answered them two years later with a 40 mm case on the new-generation movement. Unlike the 214270, whose early dials had short hands and unlit numerals, the 224270 launched with correctly proportioned hands and Chromalight numerals from the start. It is the Explorer for people who found the 36 mm too small and wanted the 70-hour calibre rather than the 3132 in the old 39 mm watch.
224270 vs 124270 vs 214270: which Explorer?
| 224270 | 124270 | 214270 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm | 36 mm | 39 mm |
| Movement | 3230, 70 h | 3230, 70 h | 3132, 48 h |
| Years | 2023 to date | 2021 to date | 2010 to 2021 |
| Numerals | Chromalight-filled | Chromalight-filled | Unlit until 2016, then lit |
| Suits | Wrists above about 17 cm | Any wrist; the classic size | Value buy between the two |
The 36 mm is the historically correct Explorer and wears larger than the number suggests because the dial fills the case. The 40 mm is for someone who wears a Submariner comfortably and wants a slimmer, quieter watch in the same size. The 214270 is the cheapest route to a modern Explorer; buy a post-2016 example with the lit numerals and longer hands.
How does the Explorer 40 wear?
At 11.6 mm thick and just under 47.5 mm lug to lug, the 224270 is slimmer than a Submariner and sits low on the wrist. With no bezel and a black dial it looks larger than a 40 mm diver, so try it before assuming it wears like a 41 mm Submariner. The Oyster bracelet has the Easylink 5 mm extension in the clasp rather than the Glidelock. It fits under a shirt cuff, which the Submariner does not, and it is the Rolex most often recommended as a one-watch collection.
How much is a Rolex Explorer 224270? Retail and dealer prices in 2026
- Retail. Rolex's US list price for the Explorer 40 has been in the low-to-mid US$8,000s in 2026; the current figure is on the Rolex product page linked above. Waiting times are shorter than for the Submariner or GMT-Master II, and walk-in allocations do happen.
- Secondary market. Unlike the steel Daytona or GMT-Master II, the Explorer 40 trades close to retail. In 2025 and 2026 unworn full sets have generally been asked at a modest premium, and pre-owned full sets at or a little below retail.
- Bizak catalogue asks. On 12 September 2026 our sourced catalogue listed a brand-new 224270 at US$11,820 and a pre-owned example at US$10,814, both sourced to order.
Those figures describe what we saw and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact year, condition and card; our Rolex price guide explains how to compare quotes.
Is the Explorer 224270 a good investment?
It is a watch to own rather than to trade. Because it is available at retail with patience, the secondary premium is small and there is little to gain from buying above retail and holding. What it offers is the lowest depreciation risk of any steel Rolex: a full-set 224270 bought near retail should return most of its price for years. Our best first Rolex guide explains why it is usually the answer for a first buyer.
Buying a used 224270: what to check
- Warranty card. Card serial and rehaut engraving should match; every 224270 is inside its five-year warranty until at least 2028. Rolex does not reissue cards.
- Bezel. The smooth polished bezel shows every scratch; light marks are normal, deep ones mean a knock.
- Case. Sharp lug chamfers and even brushing on the case sides; rounded edges mean polishing.
- Dial. A 224270 dial reads "Explorer" with "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" below the centre and has no date; a date window on any Explorer means it is an Explorer II, not this model.
- Clasp. The Easylink should snap open and closed cleanly and the Oysterlock should hold.
- Price against the band. An Explorer 40 offered well under retail is the single most reliable warning sign.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.
Quick answers
How much is a Rolex Explorer 224270?
Rolex's US list price sat in the low-to-mid US$8,000s in 2026. Bizak's sourced catalogue listed a brand-new example at US$11,820 and a pre-owned one at US$10,814 on 12 September 2026.
What size is the Rolex Explorer 224270?
40 mm across, about 11.6 mm thick and roughly 47.5 mm lug to lug, with a 20 mm Oyster bracelet.
What is the difference between the 224270 and 124270?
Size only. Both have the calibre 3230, the same dial design and the same bracelet; the 224270 is 40 mm and the 124270 is 36 mm.
Is the Explorer 40 hard to get at retail?
Less so than the Submariner, GMT-Master II or Daytona. Authorised dealers do allocate it to newer clients, though a wait of several months is common.
Does the Explorer 224270 have a date?
No. The Explorer has never had a date; the Explorer II is the date model with a 24-hour hand and a 42 mm case.
Request an Explorer 224270 sourcing quote
Tell us the preferred year range, condition and whether the warranty card is required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, card and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: 224270, pre-owned 224270; browse the Explorer collection or sell or trade your Explorer.
Related reading: Best first Rolex · Submariner 124060 guide · Rolex waitlist explained · How to sell a Rolex.
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