Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Rolex Explorer II 42 vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Rolex's timepiece meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Rolex Explorer II 42 ($10,000–$25,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Explorer II 42 justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic Caliber 3187 (216570) or 3285 (226570). Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

RolexExplorer II 42$10,000–$25,000 Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Rolex

Explorer II 42

$10,000–$25,000

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Rolex Explorer II 42	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$10,000–$25,000	$100–$150
Case Size	42mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic Caliber 3187 (216570) or 3285 (226570)	Quartz
Caliber Type	Rolex In-House Automatic, Superlative Chronometer	Quartz
Power Reserve	About 48 hours (3187) or 70 hours (3285)	Battery
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal with Cyclops	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Oystersteel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Rolex's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Rolex Explorer II 42 features a Oystersteel case at 42mm with Sapphire Crystal with Cyclops protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Rolex

Automatic Caliber 3187 (216570) or 3285 (226570) vs Quartz

The Explorer II 42 runs the Automatic Caliber 3187 (216570) or 3285 (226570) (Rolex In-House Automatic, Superlative Chronometer, About 48 hours (3187) or 70 hours (3285) power reserve) at standard frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Explorer II 42 edges ahead on power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

42mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 42mm, the Explorer II 42 wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Rolex Explorer II 42 sits at $10,000–$25,000 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Explorer II 42 uses Sapphire Crystal with Cyclops with About 48 hours (3187) or 70 hours (3285), against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Explorer II 42 is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Rolex

Explorer II 42

Choose the Rolex Explorer II 42 if you prioritize Rolex In-House Automatic, Superlative Chronometer engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At $10,000–$25,000, it delivers Automatic Caliber 3187 (216570) or 3285 (226570) with About 48 hours (3187) or 70 hours (3285) power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Rolex Explorer II 42 and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Rolex bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Rolex Explorer II 42 is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $10,000–$25,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Rolex Explorer II 42 may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Explorer II 42 at 42mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Explorer II 42 uses Sapphire Crystal with Cyclops while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.