24-hour time reading, date indication, luminescent display, reliability and precision in the most extreme conditions.
The Explorer II possesses decisive advantages to accompany those who deepen our knowledge of the world through their exploration of the most remote territories.
24-hour hand and bezel An essential display
The Explorer II has an additional broad orange central hand with an arrow-shaped tip. Circling the dial once every 24 hours, it offers a different way of reading time, by displaying it on the graduation of the fixed bezel in Oystersteel.
This hand also distinguishes between daytime and night-time hours. An essential feature for those who venture into environments where darkness reigns supreme, such as in the depths of caves, or where the sun never sets, like the polar regions in summer.
The additional 24-hour time display also allows the Explorer II to indicate a second time zone.
Chromalight display The power of the blue glow
With its contrasting black or white dial, the Explorer II has a sleek face that is easy to read in any situation.
The Chromalight display provides optimum legibility, whatever the light conditions. The luminescent material applied to the numerals, hour markers and hands is a brilliant white in daylight and emits an intense blue glow in the dark.
The Chromalight display, exclusive to Rolex and introduced in 2008, was optimized in 2021 to maintain the intensity of the blue glow for longer. The performance of this luminescent substance clearly exceeds the standards required by watchmaking norms.
The result of a complex manufacturing process, this material is obtained by firing an ultra-fine powder – composed of various metal oxides – at a high temperature and then mixing it with liquid resin. The hands, numerals and hour markers are either coated or filled with the material by hand. This operation requires great precision in order to perfectly dose the quantity of material and obtain a uniform result that meets Rolex’s criteria of excellence.
Cyclops lens An optimized date display
The Explorer II displays the date in a window at 3 o'clock. It therefore provides essential information in exploratory situations where date references become blurred.
Designed to improve the readability of the date thanks to its magnifying effect, the Cyclops lens is both an aesthetic and technical signature of the brand. This Rolex invention, named after the one-eyed giant of Greek mythology, was patented in the early 1950s and first introduced in 1953.
The Cyclops lens benefits from a double anti-reflective coating. Like the crystal of the watch, it is made from sapphire, a virtually scratchproof material.
The Oyster case The guardian of waterproofness
The Explorer II has a diameter of 42 mm and is fitted with an Oyster case. Presented by Rolex in 1926 and patented, the Oyster case is a major milestone in the history of modern watchmaking. Thanks to its system of screwing down the bezel, case back and winding crown against the middle case, it was the world’s first waterproof wristwatch case.
Equipped with a middle case in Oystersteel machined in Rolex workshops, the Explorer II is guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres (330 feet), following the stringent tests conducted as part of the Superlative Chronometer certification.
The Oyster case, a symbol of robustness and waterproofness, also stands out thanks to the elegance of its proportions, offering the ideal balance between form and function.
Oystersteel An exclusive alloy
The Explorer II watch is available in Oystersteel, an exclusive alloy that belongs to the 904L steel family, most commonly used in high-technology environments, such as in the aerospace and chemical industries.
In 1985, Rolex became the first watchmaking brand to use solid blocks of 904L steel for certain cases.
Oystersteel is extremely corrosion-resistant and boasts a unique radiance, which retains its lustre even when the watch is put to extreme use.
The Oyster bracelet and Oysterlock clasp Safety, comfort and robustness
Developed in the late 1930s, the Oyster bracelet is the original metal bracelet of the Oyster Perpetual collection. With its rows of three-piece links, it combines comfort, elegance and robustness.
On the Explorer II watch, it is equipped with an Oysterlock folding safety clasp to prevent accidental opening.
This Oyster bracelet is also fitted with the Easylink rapid extension system, integrated into the clasp. The system allows the length of the bracelet to be easily adjusted by approximately 5 mm by means of an unfolding and folding link for instant comfort.
Calibre 3285 Performance at the heart of the mechanism
The Explorer II is equipped with calibre 3285, a self-winding movement with a Perpetual rotor, entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
A consummate demonstration of technology, this movement carries a number of patents. It offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, autonomy, resistance to shocks, convenience and reliability.
This movement incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is resistant to high magnetic fields.
Calibre 3285 also includes a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. Resistant to shocks and strong magnetic fields, this hairspring is also extremely stable when exposed to temperature fluctuations.
The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3285 extends to approximately 70 hours.
