Rolex collection
Rolex Explorer
11 references, 3 still in production. Open one for its full specification and dial versions.
- References
- 11
- In production
- 3
- Case sizes
- 36–40 mm
- Years made
- 1953–2026
About the collection
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.
References
| Reference | Model | Size | Dial | Caliber | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 224270 | Explorer 40 | 40 mm | Black | 3230 | 2023– (current) |
| 124270 | Explorer 36 | 36 mm | Black | 3230 | 2021– (current) |
| 124273 | Explorer 36 | 36 mm | Black | 3230 | 2021– (current) |
| 214270 | Explorer 39 | 39 mm | Black | 3132 | 2010–2021 |
| 114270 | Explorer | 36 mm | Black | 3130 | 2001–2010 |
| 14270 | Explorer | 36 mm | Black | 3000 | 1989–2001 |
| 1016 | Explorer | 36 mm | Black | 1560 | 1963–1989 |
| 6610 | Explorer | 36 mm | Black | 1030 | 1955–1963 |
| 6350 | Explorer | 36 mm | Black | A296 | 1953–1954 |
| 6150 | Explorer | 36 mm | — | A296 | 1953 |
| 6298 | Explorer | — | — | — | — |