{"id":1975,"date":"2018-06-07T12:50:55","date_gmt":"2018-06-07T12:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=1975"},"modified":"2022-10-31T04:57:39","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T04:57:39","slug":"the-rolex-explorer-up-close-and-personal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2018\/06\/07\/the-rolex-explorer-up-close-and-personal\/","title":{"rendered":"All About the Rolex Explorer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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The Rolex Explorer\u2019s story famously began with the historic Mt. Everest climb of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. Wearing prototype Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches, they made the first ever ascent to the peak \u2013 making a strong testament to the ability of Rolex watches to survive under the harshest conditions.<\/p>\n

The Rolex Explorer<\/a> continues today, six decades after, with several models that have all been extricably linked to stories of adventure:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While the Rolex Explorer<\/a> is associated with the pioneering Everest climb, the company had its sights set on creating the ultimate mountaineer\u2019s tool watch as far back as the 1930\u2019s. Rolex started sending their Oyster Perpetuals to Himalayan expeditions and eventually accompanied\u00a0Norgay and Hillary to the peak in 1953.<\/p>\n

Rolex eventually\u00a0launched the\u00a0Oyster Perpetual Explorer ref 6150<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0in the wake of the successful ascent to the Everest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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1959\u00a0<\/strong>|<\/strong>\u00a0Rolex Explorer ref 6610\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\nPresented as the replacement of the 6150, this vintage Explorer has a short production span (1959-1963).\u00a0For this version:<\/div>\n
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– they replaced the 6150\u2019s large movement with the smaller Caliber 1030, thus removing the need for a bubbleback case.<\/div>\n
– Being an earlier\u00a0version, it also had a waterproof depth of up just\u00a050 meters.<\/div>\n
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1963\u00a0<\/strong>|<\/strong>\u00a0Rolex Explorer ref 1016<\/strong><\/span>
\nAs the Oyster case saw continued refinement, Rolex replaced the 6610 with\u00a0the 1016. Over the\u00a01016’s\u00a0successful 25-year run, improvements made were:<\/div>\n
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– increased waterproof depth to 100 meters, supported by the Caliber 1560 movement,<\/div>\n
– the use of solid links on the Oyster bracelet,<\/div>\n
– and the use of tritium rather than radium for the luminous markers.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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1971\u00a0|\u00a0Rolex Explorer II “Steve McQueen” ref 1655<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
In 1971, they launched the natural heir to the Explorer, the Rolex Explorer II. But rather than simply updating the Explorer, it was a completely different timepiece.<\/div>\n
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– Made for professional cave explorers, the new Explorer came with a large 24-hour hand and a stainless steel bezel with 24-hour markings that can help tell night from day.<\/div>\n
– Being a very niched offering, it was met with some skepticism, but grew in popularity and enjoyed a fourteen-year production span.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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1984\u00a0<\/strong>|<\/strong>\u00a0Rolex Explorer II Transitional Watch\u00a0ref 16550<\/strong><\/span>
\nAs an update to the 1655, Rolex released the 16550, which brought in significant changes:<\/div>\n
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– a larger 40mm case and\u00a0a sapphire crystal,<\/div>\n
\u00a0– a longer and arrow-tipped 24-hour hand and the Mercedes style center hands,<\/div>\n
\u00a0– and the Caliber 3085.<\/div>\n
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1989\u00a0<\/strong>|<\/strong>\u00a0Rolex Explorer I 36 ref 14270<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Rolex Explorer I took a more modern approach in the late \u201880s with the ref 14270.<\/div>\n
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– They replaced the previous acrylic crystal with scratch proof sapphire crystal.<\/div>\n
– The matte dial was also replaced with a lacquered one,<\/div>\n
– and they\u00a0added outer markers in 18k white gold.<\/div>\n
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2010 \/ 2016\u00a0<\/strong>|<\/strong>\u00a0Rolex Explorer I Steel Black Dial ref 214270<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe most current reference of the Explorer was launched in 2010, and had the biggest change to date \u2013 the 39mm Oyster case that replaced the traditional 36mm.The watch was originally introduced with non-luminous 3, 6, and 9 numerals and a shorter minute hand.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Met with backlash for these changes, Rolex updated the watch in 2016 with luminous 3, 6, and 9 numerals and better proportioned center hands. These two versions are currently referred to as “Mark I” and “Mark II” for distinction.<\/div>\n
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2013<\/strong>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong>Rolex Explorer II 42mm ref 216570<\/strong><\/span>
\nTo celebrate the 40th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the Rolex Explorer II, Rolex presented ref 216570.<\/div>\n
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While completely revamped, it pays homage to the original Rolex<\/a> Explorer II, the 1655. It is the largest Explorer watch to date at 42mm; and just like the 1655, it comes with a similar orange arrow-tipped 24-hour hand.<\/div>\n
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The 216570 is also a GMT watch, so it was equipped with a second time zone display and a date window.\u00a0With these updates, the Rolex Explorer is no longer just an adventurer\u2019s watch, but a traveler\u2019s watch, too.<\/p>\n

Today, despite\u00a0going through\u00a0lack-luster launches\u00a0for a number of its models, the Rolex Explorer endures and continues to be one of Rolex\u2019s most popular sports watches. Both historic and functional, it is a worthy addition to any collection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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____<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

SEE MORE OF THE WATCHES IN OUR VIDEO:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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