Explorer II 226570 and Caliber 3285: What Owners Should Know
Updated October 9, 2026
The short version: the current Explorer II (226570, from 2021) uses Rolex's Caliber 3285, the same movement as the GMT-Master II. It brought a longer power reserve and a more efficient escapement. Some owners online say their watches drifted in accuracy in the first year or two, while many others report no trouble at all. If yours runs outside Rolex's spec, the five-year warranty covers it. It sells for about $12,500 right now, 18% over retail.
Three modern Explorer IIs
When people compare the "old" and "new" Explorer II, they usually mean three references:
| Reference | Size | Made | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16570 | 40mm | 1989 to 2011 | Caliber 3185, later 3186 |
| 216570 | 42mm | 2011 to 2021 | Caliber 3187 |
| 226570 | 42mm | 2021 to today | Caliber 3285 |
All three have the orange 24-hour hand and the fixed bezel engraved with 24 hours. The extra hand helps tell day from night when the sun never sets, and it can also track a second time zone.
What changed with Caliber 3285
- Longer power reserve. About 70 hours, up from roughly two days on the older movements. Take it off Friday night and it is usually still running Monday morning.
- A more efficient escapement. Rolex calls it Chronergy. It wastes less energy, which is where much of the extra reserve comes from.
- Same family as the GMT-Master II. The Batman, Bruce Wayne, and Sprite all use Caliber 3285, so anything said about one applies to the others.
- A tight accuracy promise. Rolex certifies its current watches to about two seconds a day, fast or slow, after the movement is cased.
What the owner talk is about
On watch forums you will find owners of 3285 watches, Explorer II and GMT-Master II alike, who say their watch ran well at first and then started gaining or losing more time after a year or two. Watchmakers who measure these watches talk about "amplitude," which is how far the balance wheel swings. Lower amplitude can mean less steady timekeeping.
Some things to keep in mind:
- People with a problem post about it. People whose watches run fine mostly do not.
- We have not seen an official statement from Rolex describing a problem with this movement.
- Most reports we have read were sorted out with a regulation or a service.
What to do if you own one
- Measure it for a week. Set it to an accurate time source and note how many seconds it gains or loses each day while you wear it normally.
- Keep it wound. A watch that sits in a drawer and stops often will look less accurate than it is.
- Rule out magnetism. Phones, laptop speakers, and bag clasps can magnetize a watch and make it run fast. A watchmaker can check this in minutes.
- Use the warranty. Current Rolex watches carry a five-year international guarantee from the date on the warranty card. If the watch is outside spec, take it and the card to an authorized dealer or a Rolex service center.
- Keep the paperwork. A service record is worth having when you sell.
Should it change whether you buy one?
For most buyers, no. The Explorer II is one of the better values among steel sports Rolexes right now. If the movement talk worries you, buy one with a recent warranty card so you have years of coverage, and check its timekeeping in the first few weeks. If you would rather have the older movement, look at a 216570, but you give up the longer reserve and, in most cases, the factory warranty.
Explorer II 226570 price · GMT-Master II Batman price · Explorer 124270 price
This guide is our own summary of public information and owner reports. It is not a factory statement and not watchmaking advice.