Rolex
Rolex Explorer 14270
The Rolex Explorer (reference 14270) is a 36 mm stainless steel watch with a black dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 3000 and is water resistant to 100 m. It was made from 1989 to 2001.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 14270
- Collection
- Explorer
- Case size
- 36 mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Bracelet / strap
- Oyster, stainless steel bracelet
Dial and bezel
- Dial
- Black
- Bezel
- Smooth fixed bezel
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 3000
- Frequency
- 28,800 vph
- Functions
- Time only
Production
- Production
- 1989–2001
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
14270 Black Blackout
Blackout; tritium
14270 Black T-Swiss
T-Swiss; tritium (T<25)
14270 Black Swiss Only
Swiss Only; Luminova
14270 Black Swiss Made
Swiss Made; Super-LumiNova
How it compares within the Explorer family
Side by side with other references in the same collection, from the catalog.
| Reference | Size | Material | Dial | Caliber | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14270 (This watch) | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 3000 | 1989–2001 |
| 1016 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 1560 | 1963–1989 |
| 114270 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 3130 | 2001–2010 |
| 124270 | 36 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3230 | 2021– |
| 124273 | 36 mm | Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel/18k yellow gold) | Black | 3230 | 2021– |
| 214270 | 39 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3132 | 2010–2021 |
| 224270 | 40 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3230 | 2023– |
| 6150 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | — | A296 | 1953– |
| 6610 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 1030 | 1955–1963 |
About the Explorer family
The Explorer was launched in 1953, the year Rolex supported the first ascent of Everest, and has stayed one of the brand's simplest sports watches: time only, a black dial with 3, 6 and 9 numerals and a smooth bezel. The long-running ref. 1016 defined the vintage era, followed by the 14270, 114270 and, in 2010, the 39 mm ref. 214270.
In 2021 Rolex returned to 36 mm with ref. 124270 and added a Yellow Rolesor version, ref. 124273, a first for the model. A 40 mm ref. 224270 followed in 2023. Dealers tell the generations apart by case size, dial print and luminous material, and on the 214270 by whether the 3, 6 and 9 numerals carry luminous fill, which changed during production.
Quick answers
- What size is the Rolex Explorer 14270?
- The Rolex Explorer 14270 has a 36 mm case.
- What movement does the Rolex Explorer 14270 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 3000.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Explorer 14270?
- It is water resistant to 100 metres.
- Is the Rolex Explorer 14270 still in production?
- No. It was made until 2001.
- When did the Rolex Explorer 14270 come out?
- It was introduced in 1989 and made until 2001.
- What is the Rolex Explorer 14270 made of?
- The case is stainless steel. Bracelet or strap: Oyster, stainless steel bracelet.
Catalog facts checked September 2026.