Debuting in 1971, the Rolex Explorer II was released to satiate the demand for a relatively niche timepiece for a particular type of explorer, Spelunkers, or cave explorers as we may call them. Made only of steel, the Explorer II's construction ensures that none of its parts might crack or break off against a rock in cramped conditions, such as a bezel insert. With this use in mind, the Explorer II originally featured its iconic arrow-shaped 24-hour hand to differentiate between AP and PM for spelunkers that might lose track of the day and night cycle while they were in caves for days at a time. The modern Explorer II models have had this function exchanged for a fully operational GMT-hand. Featuring its signature fixed stainless-steel bezel, arrow-shaped 2nd hour hand, and robust design, the Explorer II makes for an incredible jack-of-all-trades timepiece as it comprises of just about everything your modern exploring needs might demand. Whether you're 500m under a mountain, 30m underwater, or 10,000m in the air on a trans-Atlantic flight, the Explorer II has you covered.

The case with nice proportions and with surface wear. There are some minor pin head dings to the case back. The dial is very attractive and the lumes and hands have aged consistently and have a very warm patina throughout that gives this example a lovely vintage look. The dial surface with some minor spotting throughout. The bracelet with surface wear and 13 links, 3 of which are removable.

Perhaps one of the unsung heroes of vintage Rolex, the Explorer II is a timepiece that has earned its right to enjoy the same level of status and admiration as any other vintage Rolex thanks to its unique use case and distinctive aesthetic.