Oyster Perpetual

Explorer

Designed for exploration

The Explorer and Explorer II were born of Rolex’s close ties with the world of exploration.

The brand was able to test these models in real conditions by equipping polar, mountaineering and caving expeditions. Robust, reliable and precise, these watches are capable of reaching where few dare to venture.

The greatest adventures

From the 1930s, Rolex began to equip numerous expeditions with Oyster watches. The feedback received over the years was used to develop what became known as the Professional category of watches that served as tools: models such as the Explorer launched in 1953 and the Explorer II in 1971.

Rolex watches have taken part in some of humanity’s greatest adventures. One such occasion was the 1953 expedition to Everest, led by Sir John Hunt, which saw Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay become the first to summit the world’s highest mountain.

Defying the elements

The information gained from the Everest expedition, as well as feedback provided by other climbers, led the brand to launch the Explorer watch. Later, the performance of the Explorer model was enhanced with a reinforced case and a more legible dial, catering to extreme conditions. While the Explorer’s appearance has remained substantially the same, the watch has benefited from every technical advance to Rolex timepieces.

Some of the world’s most intrepid explorers, mountaineers and scientists took Explorer and Explorer II watches to places that tested their reliability in the toughest conditions.

Withstanding extreme conditions

The Explorer II, introduced in 1971, carved out a place in the world of exploration thanks to its 24-hour display and ability to withstand the most extreme conditions. It became the watch of choice for polar explorers, speleologists and volcanologists.