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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic | Swiss automatic | Swiss automatic | Automatic |
| Case Size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 50mm | 49mm | 55.6mm | 50mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 100m | 30m | 200m | 10m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Bob’s Watches
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Buy Now at Steinhart
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Buy Now at Amazon
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Buy Now at AliExpress
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Rolex Explorer II
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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 50mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Bob’s Watches
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Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT
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| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 49mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Steinhart
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Tudor Black Bay P01
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| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 55.6mm |
| Band | Leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Amazon
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Peter Lee Auto Date GMT
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| Movement | Automatic |
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 50mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 10m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at AliExpress
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While the predecessor Explorer is made for the mountains, the Rolex Explorer II is made for the caves.
It sports a GMT hand so you know whether it’s day or night even when you’re deep in a cavern, but has a fixed bezel unlike the travel-focused GMT Master. This unique combination has made this spelunking tool a sports watch icon, and the source material for several homages.
The six homages chosen here represent many different popular versions of the Explorer II, some even combining beloved features of different variations.
Read on to see which of the six is the best fit for you, or to find out if you’d rather go with one of our three alternatives.
How Did I Come Up With My List?
There are several equally legendary iterations of the Explorer II. Whether the polar or the black, the military-esque McQueen or the bold modern version, the most popular and recognizable are considered here.
I developed this list using my experience with (and personal love for) every Explorer II, my background as an auction professional, and my experience testing these and other homages.
I also consulted colleagues, collectors of all levels, experts in my field, and information gathered from hours of forum-diving and review-watching.
6 Best Rolex Explorer II Homages
Image Source: Steinhart
The Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT is a beloved and respected homage because of how successfully it incorporates popular features from the sportier Explorer IIs with the more military-style versions. Plus, the designs come together seamlessly instead of looking Frankensteined.
It has sleek symmetrical lugs like the original 1655, the radar-like stick-and-square indices and military bezel of the erroneously-named McQueen version, and of course, the orange GMT that the lollipop second hand sweeps beautifully over.
The overall finishing is equal to watches much more expensive, seen especially in the flawlessly brushed bezel, and its cleanly machined numbers.
On the function side, Steinhart employs an adjusted Sellita SW200, which is a compelling value proposition. The adjusted accuracy is raised from between +/-12 and +/- 30 seconds a day to between +/-7 and +/- 20 seconds a day.
And at 300m of water resistance, 200 more than modern Explorer IIs, the Ocean One has diver-level functionality, minus the bezel.
What I Like
- It looks almost exactly like the original Explorer II, but with updated aesthetics such as cleaner bezel numbers and a smaller, non-cyclops date window.
- The Elaboré Swiss movement is a leveled up version of the already reliable SW200, with greater accuracy and precision.
- Steinhart’s two-to-three day delivery time is impressively quick and convenient.
What I Don’t Like
- Considering how highly functional this watch is, the lume is weaker than I’ve seen on cheaper watches.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Hours of scouring internet watch forums made it clear to me that the Steinhart is one of the most popular Explorer II homages available.
Reviewers love the quality finishing and the Swiss heritage. On top of that, those who can’t decide between the sportier Explorer IIs and the more military-style ones, and would rather not buy two versions from the same line, enjoy the Steinhart’s combined features.
The watch lacks the Explorer II’s controversial date cyclops. Reviewer reaction to this ranges from collective praise to indifference.
The Verdict
The Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT boasts a superb quality-to-price ratio. It’s Swiss made to 300m of water resistance, runs on a respectable Swiss movement, and is finished similarly to much more premium timepieces.
The merging of different Explorer II design languages is coherent and well-incorporated, looking more like an upgraded original Explorer II rather than a combination.
Overall, the Steinhart Ocean One is a stylish tool piece, and effective middle-ground between field watches and dives.
The Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT boasts a superb quality-to-price ratio. It’s Swiss made to 300m of water resistance, runs on a respectable Swiss movement, and is finished similarly to much more premium timepieces. The merging of different Explorer II design languages is coherent and well-incorporated, looking more like an upgraded original Explorer II rather than a combination. Overall, the Steinhart Ocean One is a stylish tool piece, and effective middle-ground between field watches and dives.
There aren’t many, or any, high-end Explorer II homages on the market. But, you can always count on Rolex’s sibling, Tudor, to serve up visually similar models for all of the crown’s most important lines.
The Black Bay P01 is technically based on a ‘60s prototype that Tudor pitched to the US Navy. Still, the modern updates, black dial with multi-shaped indices, and the stainless steel army-style bezel, albeit a dive bezel, come together in an aesthetically similar way that the Explorer II does.
As any good younger brother, the P01 takes on a lot of great Rolex qualities, and merges it with its own Tudor-specific signatures, namely the popular snowflake hands. The second unique feature is its leather strap with metal ends.
Meanwhile, Calibre MT5612, a COSC-certified Chronometer, is built with sturdy bridges and an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, ensuring longevity and robustness.
What I Like
- This watch features similar aesthetics to the Explorer II, such as the brushed steel bezel and different-shaped indices, but the Tudor snowflake hands and robust lug-to-lug shape give it its own distinguished look.
- The Calibre MT5612 is outstandingly accurate, COSC-certified, and comes with a 70-hour power reserve.
- With 200m water resistance and its 60-notch bidirectional bezel, this diver offers slightly more functionality than the Explorer II.
What I Don’t Like
- The 4 o’clock positioning of the crown sometimes pokes my wrist bone, and will likely be the case for most small-wristed guys.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
When the P01 debuted at Baselworld in 2019, it was pretty controversial. Tudor teased a reissue of some sort, and many expected the Tudor Submariner. Instead, the Explorer-like take on an old prototype was polarizing, with its 4 o’clock crown and huge lugs.
All of this has distinguished the watch, earning it a substantial fanbase. It got so much attention that reviewers and watch blogs often revisit the watch today, post-controversy, with many initial naysayers claiming it’s grown on them.
These reviews make this watch historically similar to the Explorer II, which wasn’t popular when it first came out.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a luxury look-alike with a premium COSC movement, the Tudor PS01 is a first-rate option. It has an official association with Rolex, but stands on its own as a high-end Swiss hard-hitter.
Much like the Explorer II when it first came out, the P01 was polarizing when it debuted. And like the Explorer II, controversy becomes the PS01, as its following continues to grow.
If you’re looking for a luxury look-alike with a premium COSC movement, the Tudor PS01 is a first-rate option. It has an official association with Rolex, but stands on its own as a high-end Swiss hard-hitter. Much like the Explorer II when it first came out, the P01 was polarizing when it debuted. And like the Explorer II, controversy becomes the PS01, as its following continues to grow.
Image Source: AliExpress
Not only is the Peter Lee Auto Date GMT the most affordable homage on the list, but it’s also the visually closest to the Explorer II.
For ~$60, you can have a nigh-similar timepiece that even runs on an automatic movement. It’s basically a legal replica, from the signature orange GMT hand to the case size. While not flawless, the finishing on the case and dial are excellent for its price.
My main complaint with this watch is that the bracelet is made with pins instead of screws, which makes it pretty rattly. Still, even if this watch was double its price, it’d be a bang-for-buck proposition.
What I Like
- The automatic movement and almost-exact resemblance to the Explorer II are an impressive combination, especially since this watch is a fraction of the cost of its source material.
- It comes in three variations, including a polished blue dial, as well as the Explorer-inspired white and black.
- The well-polished steel and clean text application hit way above its price-point.
What I Don’t Like
- The orange GMT hand isn’t a true workable GMT, and serves as a 24-hour hand.
- The bracelet is rattly and poorly constructed.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers are impressed with the Peter Lee’s likeness to its Rolex inspiration, many mentioning that the case even wears like an Explorer II, which is known for its weightiness.
There are a few complaints on Reddit about wobbly endlinks or the finishing not being perfect. I don’t fully agree with the latter complaint, given the watch’s price, but it’s always a good idea to check the seller’s return policy. AliExpress, which is Peter Lee’s main market space, offers 90-day buyer protection and a 15-day free return policy.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for an on-spot replica at a budget price, the Peter Lee Auto Date GMT is almost perfectly on-model. In addition to the white and black dial versions, this homage comes with a blue dial, giving more color options.
As with any budget watch from China, just make sure you use trusted well-reviewed sellers and keep in close contact with them throughout the buying process.
If you’re looking for an on-spot replica at a budget price, the Peter Lee Auto Date GMT is almost perfectly on-model. In addition to the white and black dial versions, this homage comes with a blue dial, giving more color options. As with any budget watch from China, just make sure you use trusted well-reviewed sellers and keep in close contact with them throughout the buying process.
For less than $100 more than the Peter Lee, Pagani’s Automatic GMT is a level or two up when it comes to function and build.
The finishing is cleaner, especially the excellent vertical brushing on the bezel. The endlinks are solid and the hand-polishing on the case sides is pretty refined for this price point. Unlike the Peter Lee, the Pagani is actually waterproof and is equipped with a sapphire-coated glass. It’s not actual sapphire like most descriptions claim, but it’s still scratch-resistant.
Also, its GMT hand is an actual working GMT hand that you can operate using the crown.
When it comes to looks, the biggest difference between the Pagani and the Rolex is that the indices are proportionally smaller, which makes the dial look roomier and adds to the legibility.
What I Like
- Offers a lot of function for its price, including 100m of water resistance, an operational GMT hand, and a solidly-built bracelet.
- Though the Chinese movement isn’t the most fascinating to look at, the see-through caseback allows you to check if the rotor is in place.
- The smaller indices offer a distinct look from its source material.
What I Don’t Like
- The date window has a recessed frame that takes up too much visual room when the cyclops, which is misaligned, magnifies it.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Peter Lee, Pagani, and Bliger often get pitted against each other when it comes to cheap Explorer II homages. People who don’t like the Pagani’s smaller indices prefer the more accurately-proportioned Bliger.
In my opinion though, the Bliger, while slightly better-finished than the lower-priced Peter Lee, doesn’t offer much more to the experience of wearing it. Neither are water resistant, and the differences in looks aren’t obvious to the naked eye.
Meanwhile, the Pagani is functionally superior to both and is easily available on Amazon.
Also, a poster on this Reddit thread claims that the index proportions look better in person than they do in pictures.
The Verdict
The Pagani Automatic GMT is for you if you’re willing to spend around $80 more than the Peter Lee or Bliger for a close look-alike with more functions. The indices are proportionally smaller, but whether or not that’s good or bad is entirely subjective.
The Pagani Automatic GMT is for you if you’re willing to spend around $80 more than the Peter Lee or Bliger for a close look-alike with more functions. The indices are proportionally smaller, but whether or not that’s good or bad is entirely subjective.
Image Source: Jomashop
From its style to its size, the Seiko Sportura SUN025 is a hulked up version of the Explorer II. The lug-to-lug size is just over 51mm, and it’s 12.5mm thick, so it wears like a thin G-Shock watch.
The hour, minute, and orange GMT hands are stout arrows, with a super skinny seconds hand which makes them look even heftier. Similarly, the date window is smaller, and is the only thing Seiko did shrink down from the Explorer II, which makes all of the dial features look that much bigger in comparison.
The bezel looks just like the modern Explorer II’s, except the slick triangles between the numbers are replaced with squares, adding to the stocky quality of the watch.
Seiko’s Kinetic movement is super unique. It’s quartz, but the battery recharges from the motion of your wrist. Kinetic is basically the automatic version of a quartz movement, and you can watch it through the exhibition caseback.
Another plus is that the crown is super satisfying to use, with just enough resistance that it makes that clean yet raspy click sound.
What I Like
- While clearly inspired by the Explorer II, Seiko leans hard into the tool watch aesthetic with a bigger case, thick arrow hands, more block-shapes, and no circular indices.
- The Kinetic movement is convenient and unique, fun to operate, and can be watched through the see-through caseback.
- With its huge following, the Seiko community, found in all major watch forums and Reddit networks, is an effective resource for questions and support.
What I Don’t Like
- The 51mm lug-to-lug size doesn’t suit small wrists, and even some medium wrists depending your preference.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers love that there’s so many ways to interact with this watch. In addition to the caseback and the well-operating winding mechanism, there’s also a power reserve indicator.
One reviewer on Reddit mentions that the power reserve indicator isn’t that useful since the Sportura lasts so long, but that it’s a nice “show-off feature.”
The Verdict
The Seiko Sportura Kinetic SUN025 is tactile and functional, making it a fun watch for gadget lovers. It’s practical on every front except maybe for its size, though that depends on your wrist.
A beefed up version of the Explorer II, this watch comes with all of the Seiko benefits, from the quality build to the substantial online community.
The Seiko Sportura Kinetic SUN025 is tactile and functional, making it a fun watch for gadget lovers. It’s practical on every front except maybe for its size, though that depends on your wrist. A beefed up version of the Explorer II, this watch comes with all of the Seiko benefits, from the quality build to the substantial online community.
Image Source: AliExpress
Addressing the pink elephant in the room, there’s a lot of reason to believe that Steel Bagelsport and Peter Lee are the same company. More on that in the “Other Reviewers” section, but their homages are often exactly the same, just with different branding.
In this case, however, Steel Bagelsport’s Explorer II homage and Peter Lee’s homage are quite dissimilar, and take inspiration from different references. The Steel Bagelsport GMT is built to the same quality as the Peter Lee, from the decent finishing to the automatic movement.
Aesthetically though, the case size is bigger, most of the extra size coming from the bezel, for a bulkier look. Another difference is its red GMT hand with the black-outlined arrow tip, first seen in 1985’s reference 16550, but popularized by the 16570.
Since the modern all-orange GMT and the ‘80s red each have their fanbases, Steel Bagelsport definitely has something distinct to offer from its (maybe) umbrella brand counterpart.
What I Like
- While most Explorer II alternatives take inspiration from the McQueen or more modern references, this watch, with its deep dial and red GMT hand, offers a rare homage to the popular versions from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and aughts.
- The indices are cleanly applied, which adds to the watch’s legibility, while also making it look more premium than its actual price.
- That it runs on an easily-operated automatic movement is impressive for a sub-$100 watch.
What I Don’t Like
- Steel Bagelsport watches lack any water resistance, and wouldn’t even do well in moderate rain.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
As with most Steel Bagelsport homages, this watch is popular thanks to how good it looks and functions for its price.
Reviewers’ main grievance with Steel Bagelsport is the confusion over whether or not they and Peter Lee are just two names under an umbrella brand. There’s often a price difference between the two despite being exactly the same, quality-wise. One Reddit poster even mentions that he received a Steel Bagelsport watch in a Peter Lee box.
Fortunately for the Explorer II homages, the Peter Lee and Bagelsport versions are different enough.
The Verdict
With its thick bezel, red GMT hand, and deep dial, the Steel Bagelsport GMT looks just like popular references from 1986–2011.
This homage is perfect for you if you’ve been searching for those Explorer II models that sit somewhere between vintage and contemporary.
With its thick bezel, red GMT hand, and deep dial, the Steel Bagelsport GMT looks just like popular references from 1986–2011. This homage is perfect for you if you’ve been searching for those Explorer II models that sit somewhere between vintage and contemporary.
3 Quality Rolex Explorer II Alternatives
While homages are affordable tributes to more expensive watches, an alternative is a comparable model, often because it’s in the same category. It won’t necessarily look like the Explorer II, and it won’t necessarily be more affordable either.
In fact, alternative models are often competitor watches. That being the case, make sure you check out these three worthwhile substitutes. If you’re considering investing in any watch, it’s important to make market comparisons.
Like the Explorer II, this Omega Aqua Terra GMT combines a GMT hand with a fixed bezel, and military field watch features with high-end luxury qualities. The case and bezel are cleaner-looking, while the dial is busier-looking, as both the 24-hour track and dive timer track share that space.
While both the Explorer II and this Omega are of equal quality, there are two distinct features that the Aqua Terra offers. First, it’s made of titanium, which means it’s equally as strong as the Explorer II but much lighter. Second, the sapphire caseback allows you to admire the exquisite Calibre 8605, something Rolex never does for some reason.
Image Source: Grand Seiko
Any watch that uses an orange GMT hand is probably inspired by the Explorer II, especially when paired with a black-etched 24-hour bezel. From here, Grand Seiko adds their signature Japanese watchmaking chops to the SBMG247.
The case, indices, and hands are hand-finished in-house in Japan. Meanwhile, Seiko’s polishers use a master technique called Zaratsu, which creates a flawless mirror-like finish on the polished surfaces, and an equally perfect hairline finish on the brushed surfaces, both of which beautifully complement each other.
Meanwhile, the accurate 9S66 movement lets you adjust its calendar-linked hours without interrupting the time, and boasts a 72-hour power reserve.
Image Source: EBay
Though a pilot watch, Glycine’s Airman 1953 Vintage often gets compared to the Explorer II since they’re visually similar “adventure watches.” What’s fun about the Airman is that its harder military-style is akin to vintage Explorer IIs, but its white dial is reminiscent of later-year polar variations. It’s a combination that doesn’t exist within the Rolex II line. It’s also a limited edition watch, so it’s truly unique in that fewer people own it.
The Airman tracks its second time zone in a really interesting way, via a moving bezel instead of a GMT hand. Other brand-specific specialties include a bezel-locking crown which is patented by Glycine, and a clear caseback so you can see the 21-jewel GL293 movement.
Which Rolex Explorer II Homage Should You Get?
Our top pick, the Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT features a combination of Explorer II best practices throughout time. Meanwhile, the Black Bay P01 partners Rolex’s iconic brushed numbered bezel with several Tudor-specific functions and design features.
The Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT boasts a superb quality-to-price ratio. It’s Swiss made to 300m of water resistance, runs on a respectable Swiss movement, and is finished similarly to much more premium timepieces. The merging of different Explorer II design languages is coherent and well-incorporated, looking more like an upgraded original Explorer II rather than a combination. Overall, the Steinhart Ocean One is a stylish tool piece, and effective middle-ground between field watches and dives.
For less than $100, Peter Lee serves up an almost exact replica of modern-day Explorer IIs. If you want an almost one-for-one with more function, then Pagani’s GMT is for you.
If you’re looking for an on-spot replica at a budget price, the Peter Lee Auto Date GMT is almost perfectly on-model. In addition to the white and black dial versions, this homage comes with a blue dial, giving more color options. As with any budget watch from China, just make sure you use trusted well-reviewed sellers and keep in close contact with them throughout the buying process.
Meanwhile, Seiko’s SUN025 is a beefed up remix, and Steel Bagelsport homages references that might not be considered vintage yet, but aren’t contemporary anymore either.
The Seiko Sportura Kinetic SUN025 is tactile and functional, making it a fun watch for gadget lovers. It’s practical on every front except maybe for its size, though that depends on your wrist. A beefed up version of the Explorer II, this watch comes with all of the Seiko benefits, from the quality build to the substantial online community.
Though wildly popular, the Explorer II isn’t copied as often as the Submariner or even the Explorer I. Fortunately, we’ve found the six best ones on the market right now.
FAQs
Is it worth buying the Rolex Explorer II?
Any of Rolex’s sport watches are worth it as long as you know you’re also paying for the brand name. They’re well-built, will last forever, and are versatile since they belong in both sporting and luxury categories.
Will the Rolex Explorer II go up in value?
Most non-precious metal Rolex watches from their core line are good investments. The Explorer II has consistently gone up in value.
Ever since I received an Omega Seamaster for my 16th birthday, I fell in love with watches. Professionally, this led me to work for New York and LA’s leading auction houses. Personally, it led to a life as a collector, my Seamaster and my Explorer II being my favorite timepieces.
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