Rolex
Rolex Explorer 40 224270
The Rolex Explorer 40 (reference 224270) is a 40 mm Oystersteel watch with a black dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 3230 with a 70-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 100 m. It was introduced in 2023 and is still in production.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 224270
- Collection
- Explorer
- Case size
- 40 mm
- Case material
- Oystersteel
- Case shape
- Round
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Bracelet / strap
- Oyster, Oystersteel bracelet
Dial and bezel
- Dial
- Black
- Bezel
- Smooth fixed bezel
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 3230
- Power reserve
- 70 hours
- Frequency
- 28,800 vph
- Jewels
- 31
- Functions
- Time only
Production
- Production
- 2023 – today (current)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 224270 (This watch) | 40 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3230 | 2023– |
| 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– |
| 14270 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 3000 | 1989–2001 |
| 214270 | 39 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3132 | 2010–2021 |
| 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 40 224270?
- The Rolex Explorer 40 224270 has a 40 mm case.
- What movement does the Rolex Explorer 40 224270 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 3230, with a 70-hour power reserve.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Explorer 40 224270?
- It is water resistant to 100 metres.
- Is the Rolex Explorer 40 224270 still in production?
- Yes, it is a current reference.
- When did the Rolex Explorer 40 224270 come out?
- It was introduced in 2023.
- What is the Rolex Explorer 40 224270 made of?
- The case is Oystersteel. Bracelet or strap: Oyster, Oystersteel bracelet.
Catalog facts checked September 2026.