Sell Your Rolex Explorer & Explorer II in Los Angeles
South Bay Coin pays same-day cash for the Rolex Explorer and Explorer II, with recent offers from $6,000 to $12,000 depending on reference, dial, and condition. Get a free, no-obligation valuation from a real specialist in minutes.
Where Los Angeles Sells the Rolex Explorer
South Bay Coin has bought and sold fine timepieces in the South Bay since 1980, and the Rolex Explorer and Explorer II are among the watches our buyers know best. As NAWCC members with more than 45 years on Hawthorne Boulevard in Lawndale, we evaluate your Explorer in front of you and explain exactly how we arrive at our number.
When you sell your Rolex to us, there is no shipping a five-figure watch to a stranger, no waiting weeks for a consignment to clear, and no listing fees skimmed off the top. We make a firm cash offer the same day, and if you accept, you walk out paid by cash or check.
We buy every generation, from the 36mm and 39mm Explorer to the 40mm and 42mm Explorer II. Our Lawndale showroom serves sellers across Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and greater Los Angeles County.
Our Lawndale Watch Showroom
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What Your Rolex Explorer Is Really Worth
Explorer values turn on the reference number, and small details move the price more than most owners expect. Across the steel Explorer and Explorer II family, recent cash offers have landed in the $6,000 to $12,000 range, with the exact number set by the specific reference, dial, and condition, and box and papers pushing toward the top.
On the Explorer II, the Polar (white) dial consistently commands a premium over the black dial across every generation. A full set with box, papers, and a recent service record lifts an offer, while heavy polishing that rounds the case lugs pulls it down, since collectors prize original surfaces.
Vintage references sit in their own market. A gilt-dial Explorer 1016 or an orange-hand Explorer II 1655 can far exceed our standard range, and a rare 14270 Blackout deserves a careful second look. Our specialists price each watch on its own merits, so bring it in and let us show you the numbers. You can also sell a luxury watch of any brand at the same counter.
Every Explorer We Pay Cash For
From the latest 124270 to vintage references, our buyers make competitive cash offers on the full Rolex Explorer family.
Explorer 36 & 40
The modern 124270 and two-tone 124273 Rolesor, the 40mm 224270, plus discontinued 14270 and 114270 references in steel, black dial, with or without box and papers.
Explorer II 40 & 42
The 40mm 16570 and the 42mm 216570 and 226570, in Polar white or black dial, with the 24-hour hand and fixed bezel that define the GMT-capable Explorer II.
Vintage Explorer
Collectible vintage references such as the gilt-dial 1016, the transitional 16550, and the orange-hand 1655, evaluated by specialists who understand their premiums.
Any Condition
Scratched, unworn, running or not, with or without papers. We buy inherited, gifted, and everyday-worn Explorers and pay fairly for honest condition.
Sell Your Explorer in Three Steps
Visit, Call, or Text
Bring your Explorer to our Lawndale showroom, call (310) 363-7808, or text a photo to (310) 363-2697 for a fast preliminary estimate before you ever leave home.
Expert Evaluation
Our NAWCC-member specialists inspect the reference, dial, movement, and condition in front of you, then explain how each factor shapes the cash offer for your watch.
Get Paid Immediately
Accept the offer and walk out paid the same day by cash or check. No shipping, no consignment wait, and no fees deducted from your total.
South Bay Coin vs. Other Watch Buyers
Selling an Explorer online means shipping a five-figure watch and waiting for a wire. Pawn shops lowball, and consignment ties up your watch for months. Here is how a local South Bay buyer compares for the Rolex Explorer and Explorer II.
| South Bay Coin | Online Watch Dealers | Pawn Shops | Consignment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same-Day Cash Payment | ||||
| No Shipping Your Watch | ||||
| Fair Market Cash Offer | ||||
| In-Person Expert Valuation | ||||
| No Listing or Seller Fees | ||||
| Free, No-Obligation Quote | ||||
| Specialist Vintage Knowledge |
What Our Customers Say
Common Questions About Selling a Rolex Explorer
How much is my Rolex Explorer worth?
Your Explorer's value depends mainly on the reference number, dial, and condition. Across the steel Explorer and Explorer II family, recent cash offers have ranged from $6,000 to $12,000, with box and papers pushing toward the top. Vintage references like the 1016 are valued separately and can run much higher.
Where can I sell my Rolex Explorer in Los Angeles?
South Bay Coin buys the Rolex Explorer and Explorer II at our Lawndale showroom on Hawthorne Boulevard, serving Torrance, Redondo Beach, and all of Los Angeles County. We have operated since 1980, make same-day cash offers, and provide free in-person valuations with no obligation to sell.
Can I sell a Rolex Explorer without the box and papers?
Yes. We regularly buy Explorers with no box or papers, since many owners no longer have them. Original box and papers do add value and lift the final offer, but their absence will not stop us from making a fair, competitive cash offer on your watch.
How much does a Rolex Explorer II sell for?
The Explorer II varies by reference and condition, but recent cash offers across the 40mm 16570 and the 42mm 216570 and 226570 have generally fallen within the $6,000 to $12,000 range. Polar white dials carry a premium over black across every Explorer II generation, and box and papers lift the offer.
What is the difference between the Explorer and the Explorer II?
The Explorer is a time-only tool watch, originally 36mm and now offered in 36mm and 40mm. The Explorer II adds an independent 24-hour hand and a fixed 24-hour bezel for tracking a second time zone, comes in 40mm and 42mm, and was designed to help cave explorers tell day from night.
Does the Polar white dial sell for more than the black dial?
Generally yes. On the Explorer II, the Polar white dial consistently commands a modest premium over the black dial across the 16570, 216570, and 226570 references. The exact gap depends on demand and condition, but a clean Polar example usually earns a slightly higher cash offer than its black-dial counterpart.
Will scratches or polishing lower my Explorer's value?
Light, even wear is normal and expected. Heavy over-polishing that rounds the case and lugs can meaningfully reduce an offer, because collectors prize original surfaces. We never penalize honest daily wear, and we will explain exactly how your watch's specific condition factors into the cash price we offer you.
Do you buy vintage Explorer references like the 1016 or 1655?
Yes, and these are where expertise matters most. A gilt-dial 1016, a transitional 16550, an orange-hand Explorer II 1655, or a 14270 Blackout can be worth far more than a standard model. Our specialists identify these variants correctly so you receive the premium your vintage Explorer deserves.
How do I find my Explorer's reference and serial number?
The reference number is engraved between the lugs at the 12 o'clock side of the case, and the serial number sits at the 6 o'clock side or on the rehaut under the crystal. You can also text us a photo and we will help you identify your exact model.
Do you pay cash the same day for a Rolex Explorer?
Yes. Once you accept our offer, you are paid the same day by cash or check, with no shipping and no waiting. The current Explorer II is one of the faster-selling Rolex sport models, so we are always ready to make a competitive same-day offer at our Lawndale shop.
Ready to Sell Your Rolex Explorer?
Get a free, no-obligation cash offer today. Call us, or text a photo of your Explorer or Explorer II for a fast preliminary quote from our South Bay specialists.