Explorer I & II
Overview of the Rolex Explorer
Rolex Explorer - Credit WatchGecko
Suppose you bought a professional Rolex in the 1980s. In that case, you may have been swung by glossy adverts on the inner pages of National Geographic magazine, where we were told about the exploits of adventurous souls, with their Rolexes, battling the most hostile environments on Earth. Who could forget the epic 57-day Steger North Pole Expedition, where the team wore Rolexes or National Geographic staff charting the Wahiba Sand Sea desert in Oman at temperatures over 50 degrees, equipped with Rolex Explorer IIs? These are the environments the Rolex explorer was born to live in. It is arguably the most significant field watch of all time and has changed very little since its advent in 1953. Some argue that you can't improve on perfection.
Current Explorer Catalogue
Rolex Explorer II on ZULUDIVER Mayday Regatta Sailcloth Divers Watch Strap - Credit WatchGecko
Today, the Explorer is available in five different models: 3 Explorer 1s, in 36mm and 40mm case diameters. These are simple three-hand watches with no date, heavily influenced by the vintage Oyster. A later design is the Explorer II, which offers two models differentiated by an additional 24-hour complication.
The 36mm and 40mm explorers share common design characteristics> There is a classic 3,6,9 dial equipped with Chromalight luminescence. The cases and bracelets are made from Oystersteel, which is a derivative of high-quality 904 L steel. Both are 100m waterproof. The watches are powered by Rolex Calibre 3230 with a Parachrome hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. This movement offers 70 hours of power reserve and is COSC-certified. The 36mm is £6300, and the 40mm is £6680. The third variant is tech, which is technically identical to the previous 36mm but is made from steel and yellow gold. It costs £10,350.
Rolex Explorer II - Credit WatchGecko
Rolex Explorer II has a 42mm case and is technically quite different from the Explorer 1. The Explorer II has a fixed bezel with a 24-hour timing capability and a fourth GMT hand, which allows the observation of time in a different zone or, as was its original intention, allows explorers underground to differentiate between day and night. This model is available with a white or black dial and utilises the same Oystersteel, and is powered by Rolex Calibre 3258, which has the same technical characteristics as the 3230 plus a 24-hour complication. The current list price for the Explorer II is £8800.
All Rolex Explorer Articles and Videos:
- The Ultimate 36mm Rolex Explorer (2021) - The Rolex Explorer 124270 Review
- Strap showcase for the Rolex Explorer II
- My Dream Watch - A Titanium Rolex Explorer II
- Rolex Submariner vs Explorer - Which Is The Best Rolex Watch? (Updated 2021)
- Update report: ZULUDIVER Kingsand on a Rolex Explorer.
- The Rolex Explorer - A Personal Journey To And With
