Explorer
11 references catalogued, spanning production starts from 1952–2021.
Born out of Rolex's association with the 1953 British Everest expedition. The brief has never changed: legibility and durability with nothing else added. No date, no rotating bezel, no complications — a 3-6-9 dial and not much more. It is the quietest watch Rolex makes and the one watchmakers tend to own.
Collection history
Generations.
1953–1963
Early
6350, 6610. The 3-6-9 layout is established.1963–1989
1016
Roughly 30 years of near-total design continuity.1989–2010
36mm modern
14270, 114270. Sapphire crystal and applied markers.2010–present
39mm and back
214270 grows to 39mm; 124270 returns to 36mm in 2021.References
Browse the Explorer collection.
Oldest to newest
016098Oystersteel1952–1953026150Stainless Steel1953–1959036298Oystersteelfrom 1953046350Stainless Steel1953–1954056610Stainless Steel1955–1959061016Oystersteel1963–19890714270Oystersteel1989–200108114270Oystersteel2001–201009214270Oystersteel2010–202110124270Oystersteel2021–present11124273Steel/18k Yellow Gold2021–present