July 2026
Complete comparison of RICH Factory Explorer I 36mm and Explorer II 42mm replicas. Size, movement, dial design, and which one fits your lifestyle better.
The Rolex Explorer and Explorer II share an adventurous heritage but serve different purposes. The Explorer I was born from Sir Edmund Hillary's 1953 ascent of Mount Everest — a simple, legible, rugged time-only tool watch designed for extreme conditions. The Explorer II was introduced in 1971 for spelunkers and polar explorers who needed to distinguish day from night in environments without natural light, featuring a 24-hour hand and fixed bezel. RICH Factory produces both models, and while they share the same DNA, the differences in size, movement, and design philosophy are substantial. This comparison covers everything you need to know to choose between them.
The most dramatic difference between the two Explorers is size. The RICH Factory Explorer I 36mm ref. 124270 measures 36mm in diameter and approximately 12mm thick — a classic, understated tool watch size that has remained essentially unchanged since 1953. The Explorer II 42mm ref. 226570 measures 42mm in diameter and approximately 13.5mm thick — a significantly larger and more modern sports watch size. On the wrist, the Explorer I is discreet and vintage-inspired, suitable for any wrist size. The Explorer II makes a much bolder statement and requires a wrist circumference of at least 6.5 inches to look proportional. The Explorer II 226570 White dial variant offers a polar white look that contrasts beautifully with the black 24-hour bezel.
Both watches prioritize legibility above all else — this is the Explorer DNA. The Explorer I features a simple three-hand layout with large 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals and a Mercedes hour hand. The dial is clean and uncluttered, with no date window, making it one of the purest watch designs ever created. The Explorer II adds a fourth hand (the 24-hour GMT hand with orange arrow tip) and a fixed 24-hour bezel. The dial includes a date window at 3 o'clock with Cyclops magnification. The Explorer II dial layout is busier but more functional for travelers and adventurers who need to track a second time zone. Both dials use Super-LumiNova for excellent low-light visibility.
The Explorer I has no bezel — just a polished bezel ring that frames the crystal. This simplicity is part of its charm. The Explorer II features a fixed 24-hour bezel in steel with engraved 24-hour markings. The bezel is not rotatable (unlike the GMT Master II). Its purpose is purely as a reference scale for the 24-hour hand. RICH Factory's Explorer II bezel has accurate engraving depth and correct font weight for the numerals. The polished bezel surface is well finished and matches the genuine Rolex design.
The Explorer I uses RICH Factory's DD3235 movement (no-date version) — a free-sprung balance automatic with approximately 65 hours of power reserve. The movement is essentially the same caliber used in the Submariner but without the date mechanism. The Explorer II uses a modified version of the DD3235 with GMT functionality, similar to the RF3285 used in RICH Factory's GMT Master II. This movement features an independently adjustable 12-hour hand and a 24-hour hand synchronized with the bezel markings. Both movements run at 28,800 vph and demonstrate excellent accuracy of +2/+5 seconds per day. The Explorer II's GMT movement is technically more complex but equally reliable.
The Explorer I comes on an Oyster bracelet with the Oysterlock safety clasp and Easylink 5mm comfort extension. The 36mm bracelet is proportionate to the case with 19mm lug width. The Explorer II uses a wider Oyster bracelet with 21mm lug width and the same Oysterlock clasp with Easylink. Both bracelets use solid 904L steel links with brushed finish — no polished center links on either model, maintaining the tool watch aesthetic. The Explorer I bracelet feels more delicate due to the smaller links, while the Explorer II bracelet has a more substantial, modern feel.
The Explorer I is the purist's choice. Its 36mm case fits any wrist, its clean dial is a timeless design icon, and its lack of complications makes it a perfect everyday watch. The Explorer II is the adventurer's choice — the larger case, GMT functionality, and 24-hour bezel make it more practical for travelers and those who want a more modern sports watch look. If you have smaller wrists or prefer vintage proportions, choose the Explorer I at $648. If you want a bold, functional GMT watch with modern sizing, choose the Explorer II at $698. Browse the full collection to see both models side by side.
Not at all. The 36mm case wears larger due to the lug design. Many enthusiasts prefer this classic size for its comfort and understated elegance.
Yes. The GMT hand tracks a second time zone and can be independently adjusted. The 24-hour fixed bezel serves as a reference scale.
Both are equally accurate in terms of build quality. The Explorer I benefits from simpler construction, which makes it slightly easier to replicate accurately.