BRAVING Extremes
For 2021, Rolex presents the latest creations brought to life by its unique watchmaking expertise. Among these are the new-generation Explorer and Explorer II, watches that take us from the highest mountain peaks to the most isolated polar regions.
The Explorer was born at the top of the world and developed in collaboration with legendary mountaineers. The Himalayas were the setting for their real-life laboratory, and in particular the highest peak, Mount Everest.
Since then, the Explorer has constantly evolved to meet explorers' needs, each time becoming more robust and easier to read. It has adapted to the most extreme environments, where time management is often key to survival.
Watches in the Explorer range have mastered the extreme frontiers of exploration: from mountain tops to the depths of caves, in the biting cold of the Arctic or the searing heat of volcanoes. On all types of adventure the Explorer II, thanks to its 24-hour display, became the watch of choice for polar explorers, speleologists and volcanologists.
The new generation Explorer and Explorer II are emblematic of Rolex's perpetual drive to improve, its never-ending quest for excellence. And, without ever sacrificing performance – one of the range's essential requirements – the watches are also elegant. This year, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer is available in a yellow Rolesor version. Combining Oystersteel and 18 ct gold, Rolesor is a signature Rolex style that flawlessly blends strength and elegance. Oystersteel, a unique alloy with incomparable strength and clarity, remains a key element of the Explorer models' case and bracelet. Corrosionresistant and designed for the most challenging conditions, it is part of what makes the Oyster Perpetual Explorer II an essential instrument for every explorer.
The black dial, now lacquered, bears the index hour markers and emblematic 3, 6 and 9 numerals that are the cornerstones of the model's personality, evoking the determination and spirit of adventure that give rise to great achievements.
The new Explorer's Chromalight display is particularly impressive. In dark conditions, the intensity of the blue glow emitted by the hour markers and hands now lasts longer thanks to the innovative and exclusive luminescent material with which they are filled or coated. In daylight, these display elements also have a brighter white hue.
The Explorer is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2020. This self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.
Calibre 3230 incorporates the Chronergy escapement patented by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with an optimised blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre's regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed and -patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement's shock resistance.
Calibre 3230 is also equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement's superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3230 extends to approximately 70 hours.
Rolex has also introduced its new-generation Oyster Perpetual Explorer II. This technical watch, in Oystersteel, was created for the boldest explorers and now features a redesigned case and bracelet. This update brings enhanced visual balance and harmony to the timepiece while remaining true to its aesthetic heritage.
On the white lacquer dial, the hour markers – whose black coating is applied using PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) – and the black lacquer hour, minute and seconds hands stand out for their matt finish. The 24-hour hand retains its characteristic orange hue, which is the same colour as the Explorer II inscription that has featured on the dial since 2011.
The new Explorer II also benefits from the same optimised Chromalight display featured in the Explorer, and is equipped with calibre 3285, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology. This self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.
Calibre 3285 incorporates the Chronergy escapement patented by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields.
The Explorer II is heir to the privileged relationship that has long united Rolex and exploration. First presented in 1971, this robust and reliable watch quickly became an essential tool for explorers travelling to the far corners of the globe, often in extreme conditions. Thanks to its 24-hour display comprising an additional, orange hour hand and an engraved bezel, the Explorer II allows the wearer to clearly distinguish daytime from night-time hours. This is particularly useful in areas where it is difficult or even impossible to distinguish between day and night, such as underground or in polar regions, which experience six months of daylight and six months of darkness a year. In certain conditions, this display enables the watch to serve as a compass. The 24-hour display can also be used to show a second time zone.
A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 42 mm Oyster case of the new generation Explorer II is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o'clock for easy reading of the date. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch's movement.
These two magnificent watches are destined to take exploration and time to new heights. rolex.com