The Explorer is said to have been inspired after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's successfully conquered Mount Everest in 1953 but Rolex officials have been quoted saying the watch was in development long before this time. However Sir Edmund Hillary was wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual when he reached the summit of Everest and this can be seen at The Beyer Museum in Zurich, Switzerland. This specific model watch was from 1952 using the A296 movement were the first prototypes of the Explorer used by climbers and explorers which featured leaf shaped hands on a white dial without the presence of the word 'Explorer'. To browse our range of original Explorer watches please click here.
A new version of the original Explorer was introduced to the market in 1963 which boasted a higher water resistancy and a new movement. This specific model was in production for 26 years until 1989 when it was discontinued and the Explorer II was born.
The Explorer II uses the same movement as the GMT Master II and also features the famous 24hr hand in which original advertising stated that cave explorers could distinguish whether it was daytime or night time. It can of course be set to GMT time.
The reason the Explorer has remained so popular over the years is because of its distinct sporty look. Unlike the GMT Master's Pepsi and Coke style bezel, it has always kept a classic, simplistic stainless steel design enhanced with either a black or white dial.
Here at Market Cross Jewellers we have a 7 day hassle free return policy so if for any reason you are not happy with your purchase then you can return the watch to us within seven days of receiving it. Your Rolex watch comes with an authenticity certificate and a 12 month warranty that will cover the inner-workings and timekeeping of your watch in the near future. We also offer the ability to sell your watch back to us or use it as a part-exchange for a more expensive model.
If you require any more information regarding any of our Rolex watches then please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@marketcrossjewellers.com or if you to prefer to speak to us by phone; call us on 01642 253939.
Can't find what you're looking for? Please check all other Rolex models we have in stock here at Market Cross Jewellers.
