Rolex Explorer
The Rolex Explorer: Designed For Exploration
The Rolex Explorer is a luxury watch for adventurers - as well as for collectors who like a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing timepiece. Described as the ‘ultimate tool watch’, it was created in 1953, quickly gaining a reputation as being tough and robust.
Dedicated to the first successful ascent of Mount Everest, the Explorer was marketed as being “found where frontiers are being advanced”. Made for adventures and expeditions, the design has been adapted over the years to remain accurate even under the most challenging conditions.
In 1971, the Rolex Explorer II was unveiled as a larger, more rugged version of the original Explorer, renowned for its 24-hour bezel and orange fourth hand. Over the decades, there have been further upgrades to this iconic timepiece.
One thing every Rolex Explorer has in common is its desirability to collectors. In terms of its complications compared with the cost, it represents great value for money.
Tested Under The Toughest Conditions
To be able to build a robust watch that could withstand intense exploration, Rolex were able to test the Rolex Explorer under a variety of tough conditions including for mountaineering, polar, and caving expeditions. Rolex began field testing early prototypes of the Explorer in 1952, when the watch was worn by mountaineers - testing not only the wearers to the limits of their capabilities, but also the watch.
Rolex wanted its luxury watches to reach new heights, so in 1952, the brand equipped British climbers with large Oyster watches. This type of vintage watch is what collectors today refer to as the Pre-Explorer. One of the most famous models, the Ref. 6298, featured a separate mid-case and bezel that secured the new tropic crystals in place.
The legendary Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were the first two mountaineers to successfully ascend to the summit of Mount Everest on 29th May 1953 as part of John Hunt's British expedition. Sherpa Tenzing was wearing one of the Rolex prototypes when making the daring climb. They and many others have become well known for
wearing Rolex watches.
This was the ultimate proof that the latest addition to the Rolex collection was truly an explorer's watch. It led to the release of the Rolex Explorer, with the Ref. 6350 being the first to display the iconic ‘Explorer’ name. Easily recognised by its ‘pencil’ hands, it was an officially certified chronometer.
Collectors looking to buy a vintage Rolex Explorer watch particularly favour the extremely rare version with a honeycomb dial, reference 6150, which sells for around £50,000 today. The vintage Explorer Mark V and vintage Explorer II Steve McQueen, are also highly sought after.
The Evolution Of The Rolex Explorer
In 1959, the Explorer model 1016 was launched, featuring a gloss black dial with the words ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’. It was the first to have minute marks going to the very edge of the dial. The 1016 was the longest continually made Rolex model, as it remained in production until 1989.
In 1971, the Explorer II 1655 was launched, marking a milestone in the collection's development. It boasted a metal bezel, 24-hour time scale and a second hour hand, enabling its use in the scientific study of caves, as the wearer could keep track of the daylight hours remaining.
In 1985, the new Rolex Explorer white dial model, Ref 16550, was launched. It was the first time the Explorer had featured a white dial, with white hands, earning it the nickname ‘Polar’ to reflect its almost pure white appearance.
Today, the white dial is still a popular choice with the newer Explorer II models. The most recent Rolex Explorer, the Ref 216570, features a larger 42 mm case. The design has also returned to the vintage orange ‘arrow’ second-hour hand, a feature of the original 1971 Explorer II. The glossier, lacquered dials are back again in the newer models, replacing the earlier matte-finish dials.
Latest Rolex Explorer Models
In 2021, Rolex relaunched the Explorer with a 36 mm case and new Rolesor yellow gold and Oystersteel versions. This came about as a result of the recent surge in interest in steel and gold watches among collectors. The classic Explorer design has Arabic numerals at three, six and nine, created with Chromalight luminous material.
The Ref 124273 has a stunning yellow gold winding crown and bezel and yellow gold centre-links on the Oyster bracelet. The steel version, Ref 124270, has the classic look that all Rolex Explorer fans know and love. The black dial is familiar and classy and there is also a coronet at the bottom edge of the dial, marking the new calibre 3230 mechanism.
One of the key changes in the Explorer over the years has been the evolution of the dial. Vintage Rolex Explorer watches had glossy dials, shiny black backgrounds, painted details and gold writing. Matte black dials first appeared in the 1960s with standout white text.
Who Wears Rolex Explorer Watches?
If you're wondering who wears Rolex Explorer watches, it will come as no surprise that they have been spotted gracing the wrists of some of the biggest global celebrities and royal family members.
Prince Harry, who served several terms in Afghanistan with the British Army, was spotted multiple times wearing a Rolex Explorer II Ref 16570 - a watch well suited to the extreme weather and conditions he lived in. The prince's model featured the white dial with white luminous markers and an orange second hand.
A-list actor Orlando Bloom, who rose to fame in Lord of the Rings playing Legolas, is said to be a vintage Rolex ‘fanatic’. Among his favourites is his vintage Rolex Explorer Ref 1655, introduced in 1971. He has a bespoke version on a chunkier strap to make it even cooler.
Actor and producer Tom Hanks has been wearing Rolex watches for several decades and has been spotted in various models, including a Rolex Explorer I. Academy Award-winner Matt Damon, famous for playing Jason Bourne in the Bourne Identity movies, is also a big Rolex fan. One of his favourite models is his vintage Rolex Explorer Ref 1016.
James Bond author Ian Fleming wrote that his iconic 007 character wore a Rolex. In fact, Fleming himself wore a stainless steel 1016 Rolex Explorer and based Bond's watch on his own timepiece when he wrote On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, published in 1963.
Rolex Explorer Prices
The Rolex Explorer II Ref 216570, with its simple elegant bracelet made of stainless Oystersteel, is one of Rolex's most iconic models. The dial comes in deep black or bright white, with the eye-catching, orange, arrow-shaped hands creating a colourful accent. With pre-owned luxury watch specialists, you can expect to pay around £10,000 for a pre-owned Explorer II Ref 216570.
Depending on a variety of factors, such as age, condition, and rarity, used Rolex Explorer watches can vary in price. With pre-owned watches, Explorer wristwatches can range from around £6,000 to £27,000. Unworn Rolex Explorers can also be highly sought after and can range around the £10,000 mark.
If you're considering buying a Rolex Explorer, as with most Rolex sports watches, you can be sure they’re a great investment.
