Since 1953, Rolex has been scaling heights with its Explorer collection, which originated after years of collaborating and experimenting with some of the world’s most fearless explorers and scientists on historic expeditions. In the 1930s, Rolex began equipping major expeditions with watches to test in tough conditions, notably during the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. The original Explorer watch was officially launched later that year, symbolizing Rolex’s close ties to exploration. It gained fame during Himalayan expeditions, earning a reputation as the most durable of the brand’s Oyster family. Both the Explorer and Explorer II, launched in 1971, have proven to withstand harsh climates, making them the ultimate watches for adventure.
Reference numbers for the Rolex Explorer and Explorer II include: 114270, 14270, 6610, 6350, 6298, 6299, 6150, 6098, 5500, 5501, 5504, 5506, 1038, 1016, 216570, 16570, 16550, 1655, 214270.
A notable model of the Explorer collection is the Explorer II ref. 1655. Launched in 1971, it was created for cave explorers to differentiate between daytime and nighttime in confusing lighting conditions. Its unique design feature is a prominent orange arrow-shaped 24-hour hand, earning it the nickname “Steve McQueen” after the actor known as the “King of Cool”. The Explorer II ref. 1655 embodies Rolex’s fusion of ruggedness with enduring design and has been photographed on legendary explorers like Jean Francois Pernette and Reinhold Messner.
The classic yet sporty appeal of the Explorer and Explorer II has attracted several celebrities. Actors such as Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Jason Statham, and Orlando Bloom have been seen wearing models of the Explorer and Explorer II, including the Steve McQueen model. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, frequently wore a white-dial Explorer II ref. 16570 during his service as a Captain in the British Army. Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond series, wore a stainless steel Rolex Explorer 1016, likely influencing James Bond’s watch choice.
The Rolex Explorer features a streamlined appearance with classic Oystersteel, a smooth bezel, an Oyster bracelet, and a black dial with luminescent hands and hour markers for optimal legibility. The Explorer 214270 has a 39mm case, while vintage models have a 36mm case. The Explorer II design is more advanced, featuring a Cyclops lens date window, crown guards, and a fixed bezel with 24-hour graduations, along with a bright orange 24-hour indicator on the dial. Explorer IIs are more robust than their predecessors, with a larger case size and maxi dial. Modern Explorer IIs have a 42mm case, while vintage models have a 40mm size. Current-production models are equipped with the calibre 3132 movement for the Explorer 214270 and the calibre 3187 movement for the Explorer II 216570, both offering increased resistance to shocks and extreme conditions, along with high precision and reliability.