Rolex Explorer History

Rolex Explorer History

Brush up on your watch history with our latest series of videos that tell you the stories behind the brands you love.

Transcript:
The Rolex Explorer: Reaching new heights.

The first Oyster Perpetual Explorer was launched in 1953 in celebration of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s victorious ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. At the time, the Nepalese government only allowed one expedition up the great mountain each year. That year, Rolex sponsored the expedition and supplied Hillary with an Oyster Perpetual to wear on the journey. While the watch did not bear the iconic Explorer name at the time, it was one of the first watches to reach Everest’s peak and served as the inspiration for the Explorer collection.

Although the Explorer didn’t fully come to life until Hillary and Norgay’s inspirational feat, prototypes for the Explorer existed in 1952. The Bubbleback, reference 6098 and 6150, served as precursors to the Explorer with white dials and leaf shaped hands. Later, these models were updated with the trademark Arabic numbers at the three, six, and nine o’clock positions and given the reference numbers 6298 and 6350. Then, in 1953, the Explorer name was inscribed on the dial of the reference 6350, and a new watch was born.

For the next decade, Rolex continued to develop the design of the Explorer. One of the most notable variations is the reference 1016, which was in production for an impressive twenty-six years, from 1963 to 1989. The Explorer reference 1016 features the easy-to-read black dial designed for optimal legibility, even in the dark. As the long-reigning history of the reference 1016 came to an end, a new era began for the Explorer with the introduction of the Explorer II.

The first Explorer II, reference 1655, was introduced in 1971. At first, Rolex enthusiasts missed the sporty feel of the earlier Explorer. They were surprised by the Explorer II because it was such an extreme departure from the original. The case and dial were aesthetically different, the crystal was sapphire, and the movement was a caliber 3000. The second variation of the Explorer II was released in 1985, reference 16550. This is often referred to as a transitional model, as a new edition was released just four years later, the reference 16570.

The Explorer II didn’t achieve widespread popularity until around 1991, just a few years after the Explorer reference 1016 was discontinued. The Explorer II gained attention after it was rumored to be worn by legendary actor and racer Steve McQueen. Since then, the reference 1655 has become known as the Steve McQueen Explorer, and the Explorer models have since enjoyed a high profile in the Rolex line-up.

Despite all the variations in the Explorer family over the years, the vision for this model has remained steadfast. This is a watch built with adventurers and thrill-seekers in mind, from climbers to cave explorers.

Today, the Explorer is one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable models Rolex has to offer.

[LilOutdoorsmangoogleplus]

Just found this series! Great videos! Make one on the air king!

[phmwu]

most famous wearers of the Rolex Explorer 1016 are British author Ian Fleming and British broadcaster/explorer Sir David Attenborough... The Explorer 1016 was introduced in 1960 !

[peterdewint]

Fascinating, although Hillary summited Everest with a Smith's Deluxe, which is now in the Science museum, London along with a letter from Sir Edmund attesting to this. As at result Smiths introduced their " Everest " range of watches.

[AAK-]

love the History vdos .. keep em comin!!

[ccw]

Contentious! there is a lot of evidence to support the view that a Smiths watch was the first watch to the top of Everest. I think both watches were worn on the ascent

[stefanocecchini]

The first watch to reach the Everest's peak was the Smiths.

[RS-iovm]

see. durability! its worth the used price of $1400