What you need to know about Rolex Explorer and Rolex Explorer II

It is easy to romanticize the Rolex Explorer, which has been done in innumerable words across countless posts since the first time watch enthusiasts met online. It is a bit ironic that while Rolex has an abundance of sports models in its current catalog, one of its most sought-after and venerated models is the humble Explorer.

As stainless steel, time-only model, the Explorer has always been one of the more affordable sports watch models from Rolex. The Rolex Explorer has been a mainstay in the Rolex lineup since 1953 when it was introduced following a successful expedition to the summit of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The Rolex Explorer was launched in 1953, soon after Sir Edmund Hillary first climb up Mount Everest. To celebrate this landmark achievement, Rolex released its first model of Explorer, with reference 6298, during that famous 1953 year.

The Rolex Explorer II distinguishes itself from Explorer models by having a fixed steel bezel, luminescent dots surrounding the dial, the date displayed on the 3-hour mark, and a much-loved bright orange 24-hour hand. The luminescent dots surrounding the dial, and the much-loved bright orange 24-hour hand. Just like other models, a pre-owned Rolex Explorer II has also got a date display and a third orange hand to give you an accurate time.

Powered by an automatic winding Perpetual movement enclosed within an Oyster case, the Explorer 1016 is one of Rolex simpler watches from a function standpoint. Built like a solid steel timepiece sporting Rolex’s famous Oyster waterproof case and precision Self-winding Perpetual movement, the
Explorer watches afford outstanding legibility thanks to the stark, time-only dial featuring luminescent hands and markers. Technically speaking, the watch is both Reference 6098 and Reference 610.

Due to Rolex Explorer watches rugged durability mixed with a refined design, the watches earned a place at the top of wristwatches worldwide. If you ever wondered why luxury watch buyers valued heavy wristwear in the wake of the Titanium watch, it is because they have worn Rolex.

The Rolex Explorer has served members of expeditions and alpinists well in the most extreme conditions and circumstances. This simply means that you not only get to enjoy this watch in this collection when out in the field but also when using a Rolex Explorer watch as an accessory even during normal days. By making it, the aim of Rolex is to create a watch that is the ultimate explorer for the real adventure seekers out there.

Both men were given watches by Rolex to wear on top of Everest, and in honor of their accomplishments, The Explorer was named. The Rolex Explorer today has an immense cachet thanks to almost 70 years’ worth of brands built by Rolex, some rock-solid, others not so much (ahem, Edmund Hillary was wearing Smiths while summiting Everest). James says it is ironic since while the Explorer is an iconic watch, it is arguably the least-known, understated sports watch from Rolex.

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