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The story
The Explorer grew out of the 1953 Everest expedition, for which Rolex supplied Oyster watches. Its black dial with large 3, 6 and 9 numerals and a triangle at 12 was designed to be read instantly in poor light, and it has barely changed since.
Reference 1016 served from 1963 to 1989. The Explorer grew to 39 mm in 2010 and returned to 36 mm in 2021 with reference 124270; a 40 mm 224270 joined it in 2023.
| Years | References | Calibre | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953–1963 | 6150, 6350, 6610 | A296, 1030 | First 3-6-9 dials; 'Explorer' name from 6350 |
| 1963–1989 | 1016 | 1560, 1570 | 100 m water resistance |
| 1989–2001 | 14270 | 3000 | Sapphire crystal, applied markers |
| 2001–2010 | 114270 | 3130 | Solid end links, no lug holes |
| 2010–2021 | 214270 | 3132 | Grows to 39 mm |
| 2021–today | 124270, 124273, 224270 (40 mm) | 3230 | Back to 36 mm; first two-tone Explorer |
Reading a Explorer reference
124270 is the current 36 mm Explorer in Oystersteel (0); 124273 the first two-tone Explorer, Yellow Rolesor (3); 224270 the 40 mm version. Earlier references are 214270 (39 mm), 114270 and 14270 (36 mm) and the vintage 1016.
Current models and prices
Every Explorer reference Rolex currently lists for India, with the retail price shown on rolex.com/en-in on 8 October 2026, including taxes. Where a reference comes with several dials or bracelets, the range is shown.
| Reference | Model | Case | Calibre | India price, 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124270 | Explorer 36 | Oystersteel | 3230 | ₹7,71,500 |
| 124273 | Explorer 36 | Yellow Rolesor | 3230 | ₹14,20,000 |
| 224270 | Explorer 40 | Oystersteel | 3230 | ₹8,14,500 |
The calibre
Calibre 3230: automatic, time only, about 70 hours of power reserve, Chronergy escapement and blue Parachrom hairspring. The 214270 used calibre 3132 and the 114270 calibre 3130.
Materials
Oystersteel, plus Yellow Rolesor on the 124273. Chromalight luminous material on the numerals and hands.
- Correct size for the reference (36, 39 or 40 mm)
- Even luminous 3-6-9 numerals
- Calibre 3230 in 124270/224270
- Matching papers
- A date window (the Explorer has none)
- Mismatched lume colour between hands and dial on modern pieces
- Polished-out case edges
- Wrong-generation bracelet
Frequently asked questions
36 mm (124270) and 40 mm (224270).
No. The Explorer shows time only.
The Explorer II adds a 24-hour hand and fixed 24-hour bezel, a date and a 42 mm case.