Modern Rolex Explorer I Models

The Rolex Explorer I is one of the most versatile Rolex timepieces. Its story famously takes shape as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay took their pioneering ascent to the Everest in 1953. To remind everyone of the famous feat – and of the Oyster Perpetual that timed their expedition – the Rolex Explorer was launched that same year.

More than 70 years on, the simple deep black dial and the recognizable 3, 6 and 9 of the Explorer has persisted. In 2021, it also received a fresh new look with two new references: the new Oystersteel ref 124270 and the new Rolesor 124273.

With that, we have four key references of the modern Rolex Explorer I today – all heirs to an impressive legacy. Let’s take a look at how the Explorer I has evolved since its rebirth in the 1980s.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer I 36mm 14270

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Ref 14270 (1989 – 2007)

Launched in Baselworld 1989, the ref 14270 marked the beginnings of the modern Rolex Explorer. Taking from the foundation laid by the ref 1016 – it had all the staples of the Rolex Explorer, but with its matte dial replaced with a lacquered dial and its painted markers replaced with applied markers with white gold surrounds.

Furthermore, it also replaced the previous acrylic crystal with a scratch proof sapphire crystal. Of course, the movement was also upgraded to the Caliber 3000 and later on with the Caliber 3130 in 2001, with the slightly updated ref 114270.

All these modern upgrades created a stark separation from the tool watch heritage of the Rolex Explorer; and put the collection at the cross-section between sport and luxury.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer I 39mm 214270

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Ref 214270 (2010 – 2020)

This particular Rolex Explorer I ushered in one of the biggest changes in the Explorer’s history – a bigger 39mm case to replace the traditional 36mm. The face was also given a lift, with the iconic 3, 6 and 9 numbers no longer luminescent and crafted entirely in 18k white gold and the EXPLORER text moved from below the Rolex logo to above 6 o’clock.

The first version of the 214270 came with hands that, to many Rolex fans, seemed too short for the new size of the Explorer. A gentle fix introduced in 2016 with the “Mark II” dial with better proportioned center hands and the 3, 6 and 9 numerals luminescent again.

Both versions of the 214270 are powered by the Caliber 3132.

The Latest Rolex Explorer I Editions

A decade after the release of the 39mm Explorer, Rolex comes back to the historical 36mm size used for over 5 decades. Not only that – the company also introduced the Rolex Explorer I in a new two-tone edition.

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Ref 124270 (2021)

Replacing the 39mm Explorer is the ref 124270, which comes back to the historic size of the Explorer I. This move is quite surprising, given that recent developments in other Rolex watches – namely the Submariner and the Oyster Perpetual – saw increased cases of 41mm.

Apart from its reduced diameter, the new generation Explorer I still bears the distinct elements of the previous Explorer – lacquered black dial, white gold hands and applied indexes filled with Chromalight lume.

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What the new Rolex Explorer 124270 boasts of are the reformulated blue Chromalight luminous paint that glows for longer in the dark, and the new caliber 3230, which features a Parachrom hairspring, 70 hours of power reserve and accuracy of +2 / -2 seconds per day.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer I 36mm 124273 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer I 36mm Steel and Yellow Gold 124273

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Ref 124273 (2021)

Perhaps the most surprising news from Rolex this year is the introduction of the Rolex Explorer I in two-tone, Oystersteel and yellow gold. The Explorer has never been rendered in anything but stainless steel for almost 50 years, so with the addition of gold, the iconic tool watch takes on a more luxurious character.

The 18k yellow gold material is found classically on the smooth bezel, the crown and on the center links of the bracelet. The Explorer I’s traditional white gold marker surrounds have also been switched to yellow gold for this reference.

Like the new Explorer I in Oystersteel, it runs on the new caliber 3230.

The Rolex Explorer I has always been one of the more understated watches of the brand, given its simple, no nonsense nature, and that’s precisely where its enduring appeal lies. In a world saturated with flashy trends and fleeting novelties, the modern Rolex Explorer I stands as a testament to timeless design and unwavering functionality.

Whether you’re scaling a mountain, navigating a bustling city, or simply appreciating a well-crafted timepiece, the Explorer I remains a reliable and elegant choice. So, if you’re seeking a watch that embodies both adventure and understated elegance, the modern Rolex Explorer I is a worthy contender, a quiet giant in the world of horology, proving that sometimes, less truly is more.

In the market for a Rolex Explorer I? Luxury Watche Replica offers a curated selection of certified Best Quality pre-owned models, providing a fantastic avenue to explore the various iterations of this iconic timepiece. Explore our vast selection at Buy Best Quality Watches .com.

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