Rolex
Rolex Explorer 6610
The Rolex Explorer (reference 6610) is a 36 mm stainless steel watch with a black dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 1030 and is water resistant to 50 m. It was made from 1955 to 1963.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 6610
- Collection
- Explorer
- Case size
- 36 mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Water resistance
- 50 m
- Bracelet / strap
- Bracelet
Dial and bezel
- Dial
- Black
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 1030
- Functions
- Time only
Production
- Production
- 1955–1963
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
6610 Black
Gilt; lacquered
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6610 (This watch) | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 1030 | 1955–1963 |
| 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 |
| 224270 | 40 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3230 | 2023– |
| 6150 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | — | A296 | 1953– |
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 6610?
- The Rolex Explorer 6610 has a 36 mm case.
- What movement does the Rolex Explorer 6610 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 1030.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Explorer 6610?
- It is water resistant to 50 metres.
- Is the Rolex Explorer 6610 still in production?
- No. It was made until 1963.
- When did the Rolex Explorer 6610 come out?
- It was introduced in 1955 and made until 1963.
- What is the Rolex Explorer 6610 made of?
- The case is stainless steel. Bracelet or strap: Bracelet.
Catalog facts checked October 2026.