Reference:explorer - Revision history

Admin: Match Explorer family lead to homepage image

2026-10-23T02:26:26Z

Match Explorer family lead to homepage image

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:26, 23 October 2026
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	\|description=Explorer I reference guide from the pre-Explorer 6150 and 6350 through the 6610, 1016, sapphire-era models, 214270, 124270 and 224270, with production, dial and caliber notes.		\|description=Explorer I reference guide from the pre-Explorer 6150 and 6350 through the 6610, 1016, sapphire-era models, 214270, 124270 and 224270, with production, dial and caliber notes.
	\|keywords=Rolex Explorer, Explorer I, 1016, 6150, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270, vintage Rolex		\|keywords=Rolex Explorer, Explorer I, 1016, 6150, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270, vintage Rolex
	\|image=Ref ~~Explorer everest 1953~~.webp		\|image=Ref explorer vintage-ad.webp
	\|image_alt=Hillary and ~~Norgay's 1953~~ Everest ~~expedition, associated with Explorer history~~		\|image_alt=Rolex Explorer advertisement with Hillary and Tenzing on Everest
	\|type=Article		\|type=Article
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref ~~Explorer everest 1953~~.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Hillary and ~~Norgay's 1953~~ Everest ~~expedition~~\|Hillary and ~~Norgay's 1953~~ Everest ~~expedition~~]]		[[File:Ref explorer vintage-ad.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Explorer advertisement with Hillary and Tenzing on Everest\|Rolex Explorer advertisement with Hillary and Tenzing on Everest]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Distinguish 1936 Oyster Explorer name from Explorer I

2026-10-09T06:45:13Z

Distinguish 1936 Oyster Explorer name from Explorer I

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:45, 9 October 2026
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	<span id="explorer-i"></span>		<span id="explorer-i"></span>
	== Rolex Explorer I ==		== Rolex Explorer I ==
	The ~~Explorer name appears in the early-1950s period around Rolex’s Himalayan expedition watches. The Hillary and Norgay Everest ascent in 1953 supplied the public association, while the~~ 6150 and 6350 show the early 3-6-9 dial ~~layout~~. Explorer I is a time-only Oyster watch with a black dial, Arabic 3-6-9 numerals and Mercedes hands. Case size changes later in the run: 36mm through the 114270, 39mm for the 214270, then 36mm and 40mm for the current 124270 and 224270.		The 6150 and 6350 show the early 3-6-9 layout associated with Explorer I; the 1953 Everest ascent supplied the name’s public setting. James Dowling also documents Oyster Explorer [[Reference:3136\|ref. 3136]], dated 1936, with those words on the dial. This earlier use is separate from the later Explorer I line. Explorer I is a time-only Oyster watch with a black dial, Arabic 3-6-9 numerals and Mercedes hands. Case size changes later in the run: 36mm through the 114270, 39mm for the 214270, then 36mm and 40mm for the current 124270 and 224270.

	The [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] arrived in 1971 with a fixed 24-hour hand and date display for use where day and night are difficult to distinguish. Its references and movement family are documented separately. This page covers Explorer I.		The [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] arrived in 1971 with a fixed 24-hour hand and date display for use where day and night are difficult to distinguish. Its references and movement family are documented separately. This page covers Explorer I.
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	* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/explorer Rolex.com Explorer Collection] — official current specs		* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/explorer Rolex.com Explorer Collection] — official current specs
	* [https://wornandwound.com/review/rolex-looks-the-new-explorer-124270-review/ Rolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 124270] — Blake Buettner, Worn & Wound (2021); review measurements and bracelet details		* [https://wornandwound.com/review/rolex-looks-the-new-explorer-124270-review/ Rolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 124270] — Blake Buettner, Worn & Wound (2021); review measurements and bracelet details
			* [https://oracleoftime.com/early-history-of-the-rolex-explorer/ The Early History of the Rolex Explorer and its Unusual References] — James Dowling (2024); Oyster Explorer ref. 3136, dated 1936

	[[Category:Explorer]]		[[Category:Explorer]]
	[[Category:Family Index]]		[[Category:Family Index]]

Admin: Add ref. 124270 and sourced lug-width note

2026-10-06T04:59:38Z

Add ref. 124270 and sourced lug-width note

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:59, 6 October 2026
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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
	\|-		\|-
	\| 124270 \|\| 2021–present \|\| Cal. 3230 \|\| 36mm Oystersteel \|\| ~~Return~~ to 36mm; ~~modern Superlative Chronometer specification~~		\| [[Reference:124270\|124270]] \|\| 2021–present \|\| Cal. 3230 \|\| 36mm Oystersteel \|\| Returned to 36mm after the 39mm 214270; Worn & Wound reports 19mm lugs
	\|-		\|-
	\| 224270 \|\| 2023–present \|\| Cal. 3230 \|\| 40mm Oystersteel \|\| 40mm Explorer I; current larger case option		\| 224270 \|\| 2023–present \|\| Cal. 3230 \|\| 40mm Oystersteel \|\| 40mm Explorer I; current larger case option
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	* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra		* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
	* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/explorer Rolex.com Explorer Collection] — official current specs		* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/explorer Rolex.com Explorer Collection] — official current specs
			* [https://wornandwound.com/review/rolex-looks-the-new-explorer-124270-review/ Rolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 124270] — Blake Buettner, Worn & Wound (2021); review measurements and bracelet details

	[[Category:Explorer]]		[[Category:Explorer]]
	[[Category:Family Index]]		[[Category:Family Index]]

Klaudiusz: Replace promotional Explorer hub wording with direct descriptions

2026-09-29T05:36:03Z

Replace promotional Explorer hub wording with direct descriptions

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:36, 29 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-grid">		<div class="rp-grid">
	<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Identifying a vintage 36mm Explorer?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:1016\|1016]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">~~The twenty~~-~~nine-year foundation~~ reference, gilt Types 0 through 6, matte Marks 0 through 5.</div></div></div>		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Identifying a vintage 36mm Explorer?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:1016\|1016]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">Long-running 36mm reference; gilt Types 0 through 6 and matte Marks 0 through 5.</div></div></div>
	<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Cross-checking a sapphire-era 36mm?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:14270\|14270]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First sapphire-crystal Explorer, caliber 3000, five dial generations, ~~plus~~ the Blackout variant ~~that re-set the modern Explorer market~~.</div></div></div>		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Cross-checking a sapphire-era 36mm?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:14270\|14270]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First sapphire-crystal Explorer, caliber 3000, five dial generations, and the Blackout dial variant.</div></div></div>
	<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Working from a 39mm dial photo?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:214270\|214270]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First size change in fifty-seven years. Caliber 3132 with Paraflex shock absorbers, and the Mark 1 (no lume numerals) vs Mark 2 (lume) split.</div></div></div>		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Working from a 39mm dial photo?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:214270\|214270]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First size change in fifty-seven years. Caliber 3132 with Paraflex shock absorbers, and the Mark 1 (no lume numerals) vs Mark 2 (lume) split.</div></div></div>
	</div>		</div>
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	\|}		\|}

	== ~~The foundation reference~~ (1960–1989) ==		== Reference 1016 (1960–1989) ==

	{\| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"		{\| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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	\|}		\|}

	== ~~Explorer-adjacent curiosities~~ ==		== Related but separate watches ==

	Some steel Rolex watches from this period share the Explorer family’s case or dial vocabulary without carrying the Explorer name. The Space-Dweller ~~swaps the~~ 1016~~'s dial text for~~ a Japanese-market variant ~~and has never had its own~~ reference number ~~confirmed~~. The [[Reference:6429\|6429 Commando]] is a ~~smaller, cheaper,~~ manual-wind ~~34mm~~ watch Rolex sold through Abercrombie & Fitch in the late 1960s ~~— Explorer-adjacent by~~ case and dial ~~language~~, ~~not by~~ name ~~or by~~ movement.		Some steel Rolex watches from this period share the Explorer family’s case or dial vocabulary without carrying the Explorer name. The Space-Dweller uses 1016-style case and a Japanese-market dial variant; published sources have not established a separate reference number. The [[Reference:6429\|6429 Commando]] is a 34mm manual-wind watch Rolex sold through Abercrombie & Fitch in the late 1960s. It shares some case and dial vocabulary with the Explorer, but has its own name and movement.

	== Related families ==		== Related families ==

Klaudiusz: Deep audit: grounded Explorer chronology, movement table, and image layout

2026-09-28T20:50:18Z

Deep audit: grounded Explorer chronology, movement table, and image layout

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:50, 28 September 2026
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	\|keywords=Rolex Explorer, Explorer I, 1016, 6150, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270, vintage Rolex		\|keywords=Rolex Explorer, Explorer I, 1016, 6150, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270, vintage Rolex
	\|image=Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp		\|image=Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp
	\|image_alt=Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition ~~— the event that launched the~~ Explorer ~~name~~		\|image_alt=Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition, associated with Explorer history
	\|type=Article		\|type=Article
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:6150\|6150]] \|\| 1952–1953 (or 1959) \|\| A296 (non-COSC) \|\| 36mm SS \|\| ~~First~~ 3-6-9 layout; most dials say "Precision," not "Explorer"		\| [[Reference:6150\|6150]] \|\| 1952–1953 (or 1959) \|\| A296 (non-COSC) \|\| 36mm SS \|\| Early 3-6-9 layout; most dials say "Precision," not "Explorer"
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:6350\|6350]] \|\| 1953–1955 \|\| A296 (COSC) \|\| 36mm SS \|\| ~~First ref where ALL dials say "~~Explorer"; honeycomb variant		\| [[Reference:6350\|6350]] \|\| 1953–1955 \|\| A296 (COSC) \|\| 36mm SS \|\| Regular Explorer-marked production reference; honeycomb variant
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:6610\|6610]] \|\| Hodinkee: 1955–1959; Monochrome: 1955–1963 \|\| Cal. 1030 \|\| 35–36mm in auction measurements \|\| Red-depth and off-white (“Albino”) dial examples		\| [[Reference:6610\|6610]] \|\| Hodinkee: 1955–1959; Monochrome: 1955–1963 \|\| Cal. 1030 \|\| 35–36mm in auction measurements \|\| Red-depth and off-white (“Albino”) dial examples
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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:1016\|1016]] \|\| ~1960–1989 \|\| Cal. 1560, then 1570 \|\| 36mm SS \|\| ~~29-year~~ run; gilt Types 0–6, matte Marks 0–5~~; the definitive Explorer~~		\| [[Reference:1016\|1016]] \|\| ~1960–1989 \|\| Cal. 1560, then 1570 \|\| 36mm SS \|\| Long run; gilt Types 0–6 and matte Marks 0–5
	\|}		\|}

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	! Caliber !! Frequency !! Power reserve !! Used in !! Notes		! Caliber !! Frequency !! Power reserve !! Used in !! Notes
	\|-		\|-
	\| A296 \|\| ~~not stated here~~ \|\| ~~not stated here~~ \|\| 6150, 6350 \|\| Early ~~manual-wind~~ Explorer movement family; 6350 examples are documented with chronometer certification		\| A296 \|\| varies by source/example \|\| varies by source/example \|\| 6150, 6350 \|\| Early automatic Explorer movement family; 6350 examples are documented with chronometer certification
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1030 \|\| 18,000 vph \|\| approximately 48 hr \|\| 6610 \|\| Automatic movement replacing the A296 family		\| 1030 \|\| 18,000 vph \|\| approximately 48 hr \|\| 6610 \|\| Automatic movement replacing the A296 family
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	== Explorer-adjacent curiosities ==		== Explorer-adjacent curiosities ==

	~~Not every~~ steel~~-sport~~ Rolex from this period ~~wears~~ the Explorer ~~name, even when it shares the family's~~ case ~~and~~ dial vocabulary. The Space-Dweller swaps the 1016's dial text for a Japanese-market variant and has never had its own reference number confirmed. The [[Reference:6429\|6429 Commando]] is a smaller, cheaper, manual-wind 34mm watch Rolex sold through Abercrombie & Fitch in the late 1960s — Explorer-adjacent by case and dial language, not by name or by movement.		Some steel Rolex watches from this period share the Explorer family’s case or dial vocabulary without carrying the Explorer name. The Space-Dweller swaps the 1016's dial text for a Japanese-market variant and has never had its own reference number confirmed. The [[Reference:6429\|6429 Commando]] is a smaller, cheaper, manual-wind 34mm watch Rolex sold through Abercrombie & Fitch in the late 1960s — Explorer-adjacent by case and dial language, not by name or by movement.

	== Related families ==		== Related families ==
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	* [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]], for the calibers used across the Explorer line		* [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]], for the calibers used across the Explorer line
	* [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet and clasp guide]], for bracelet types, end-links and clasp date codes		* [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet and clasp guide]], for bracelet types, end-links and clasp date codes

			<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp\|1953 Everest expedition context for the Explorer name.
			File:Ref Explorer reference chart.webp\|Explorer I reference, dial, case and movement overview.
			</gallery>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: Record published 6610 chronology and measurement differences

2026-09-25T07:59:59Z

Record published 6610 chronology and measurement differences

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:59, 25 September 2026
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	\| [[Reference:6350\|6350]] \|\| 1953–1955 \|\| A296 (COSC) \|\| 36mm SS \|\| First ref where ALL dials say "Explorer"; honeycomb variant		\| [[Reference:6350\|6350]] \|\| 1953–1955 \|\| A296 (COSC) \|\| 36mm SS \|\| First ref where ALL dials say "Explorer"; honeycomb variant
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:6610\|6610]] \|\| 1955–1959 \|\| Cal. 1030 \|\| ~~36mm SS~~ \|\| ~~Upgraded movement; red~~ depth ~~rating~~ and ~~Albino variants~~		\| [[Reference:6610\|6610]] \|\| Hodinkee: 1955–1959; Monochrome: 1955–1963 \|\| Cal. 1030 \|\| 35–36mm in auction measurements \|\| Red-depth and off-white (“Albino”) dial examples
	\|}		\|}

Admin: Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels

2026-09-21T04:33:45Z

Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:33, 21 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>~~[[Reference:explorer\|~~Explorer]]</small>		<small>Explorer</small>

	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">

Admin: Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels

2026-09-21T04:33:16Z

Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:33, 21 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Explorer}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Explorer}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Explorer — Reference ~~Guide~~ to ~~Every Model & Year~~ \| Rolexopedia		\|title=Rolex Explorer I — Reference guide to the 6150, 6350, 6610, 1016 and later models \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=~~Every Rolex~~ Explorer I reference from the ~~1952~~ pre-Explorer 6150 through the ~~current~~ 124270 and 224270~~. Production histories~~, dial ~~variants, movement specs,~~ and ~~collector context~~.		\|description=Explorer I reference guide from the pre-Explorer 6150 and 6350 through the 6610, 1016, sapphire-era models, 214270, 124270 and 224270, with production, dial and caliber notes.
	\|keywords=Rolex Explorer, Explorer I, 1016, 6150, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270, vintage Rolex		\|keywords=Rolex Explorer, Explorer I, 1016, 6150, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270, vintage Rolex
	\|image=Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp		\|image=Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp
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	}}		}}

			<small>[[Reference:explorer\|Explorer]]</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition\|Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition]]
			</div>

			<span id="explorer-i"></span>
	== Rolex Explorer I ==		== Rolex Explorer I ==
	The Explorer ~~launched~~ in ~~1953, the same year as the Submariner, and took its name from Rolex's run of supplied watches on Himalayan expeditions through~~ the early 1950s. The Hillary and Norgay Everest ascent ~~that May~~ supplied the ~~marketing peg~~, ~~though~~ the dial layout ~~had already been settled on the 6150~~. ~~The line~~ is ~~defined by three things:~~ a ~~36mm~~ Oyster ~~case (until the 214270 stretched it to 39mm in 2010)~~, a 3-6-9 ~~Arabic-numeral dial,~~ and Mercedes hands. ~~No date~~, ~~no rotating bezel~~, ~~no complications of any kind.~~		The Explorer name appears in the early-1950s period around Rolex’s Himalayan expedition watches. The Hillary and Norgay Everest ascent in 1953 supplied the public association, while the 6150 and 6350 show the early 3-6-9 dial layout. Explorer I is a time-only Oyster watch with a black dial, Arabic 3-6-9 numerals and Mercedes hands. Case size changes later in the run: 36mm through the 114270, 39mm for the 214270, then 36mm and 40mm for the current 124270 and 224270.

	~~The [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] arrived in 1971 with a 24-hour hand aimed at cavers~~ and ~~polar workers who lose track of day~~ and ~~night. It runs across five references (1655, 16550, 16570, 216570, 226570) on its own movement family and is documented separately. This page covers Explorer I~~.

	[[~~File~~:~~Ref~~ Explorer ~~everest 1953~~.~~webp\|thumb\|center\|500px\|alt=Hillary~~ and ~~Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition — the event that launched the~~ Explorer ~~name\|Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition — the event that launched the Explorer name]]~~		The [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] arrived in 1971 with a fixed 24-hour hand and date display for use where day and night are difficult to distinguish. Its references and movement family are documented separately. This page covers Explorer I.

	[[File:Ref Explorer reference chart.webp\|thumb\|center\|700px\|alt=Reference chart of Explorer I variants by circa date, case, and movement\|Explorer I variants at a glance — reference, dial detail, circa dates, case, and movement]]		[[File:Ref Explorer reference chart.webp\|thumb\|center\|700px\|alt=Reference chart of Explorer I variants by circa date, case, and movement\|Explorer I variants at a glance, reference, dial detail, circa dates, case and movement]]

	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==
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	\|}		\|}

	== Modern references (~~1989–2021~~) ==		<span id="Modern_references_(1989–2021)"></span>
			== Modern references (1989–present) ==

	{\| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"		{\| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:214270\|214270]] \|\| 2010–2021 \|\| Cal. 3132 \|\| 39mm SS \|\| First size change in 57 years; Mark 1 (no lume) vs Mark 2 (lume)		\| [[Reference:214270\|214270]] \|\| 2010–2021 \|\| Cal. 3132 \|\| 39mm SS \|\| First size change in 57 years; Mark 1 (no lume) vs Mark 2 (lume)
			\|}

			{\| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
			\|-
			! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
			\|-
			\| 124270 \|\| 2021–present \|\| Cal. 3230 \|\| 36mm Oystersteel \|\| Return to 36mm; modern Superlative Chronometer specification
			\|-
			\| 224270 \|\| 2023–present \|\| Cal. 3230 \|\| 40mm Oystersteel \|\| 40mm Explorer I; current larger case option
	\|}		\|}

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	! Caliber !! Frequency !! Power reserve !! Used in !! Notes		! Caliber !! Frequency !! Power reserve !! Used in !! Notes
	\|-		\|-
	\| A296 \|\| — \|\| — \|\| 6150, 6350 \|\| ~~Pre~~-~~1560 era~~; ~~COSC-certified in~~ 6350 ~~only~~		\| A296 \|\| not stated here \|\| not stated here \|\| 6150, 6350 \|\| Early manual-wind Explorer movement family; 6350 examples are documented with chronometer certification
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1030 \|\| — \|\| — \|\| 6610 \|\| ~~Upgrade from~~ A296~~; thinner caseback~~		\| 1030 \|\| 18,000 vph \|\| approximately 48 hr \|\| 6610 \|\| Automatic movement replacing the A296 family
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1560 \|\| 18,000 vph \|\| — \|\| 1016 (early) \|\| Microstella adjustment; first "Superlative Chronometer"		\| 1560 \|\| 18,000 vph \|\| — \|\| 1016 (early) \|\| Microstella adjustment; first "Superlative Chronometer"
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	\|-		\|-
	\| 3132 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| 48 hr \|\| 214270 \|\| Paraflex shock absorbers		\| 3132 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| 48 hr \|\| 214270 \|\| Paraflex shock absorbers
			\|-
			\| 3230 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| approximately 70 hr \|\| 124270, 224270 \|\| Current-generation automatic caliber; official Rolex specifications
	\|}		\|}

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	== Related families ==		== Related families ==

	* [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer-II]] — the 24-hour sibling~~. Same Explorer DNA,~~ fixed ~~bezel, an extra~~ hour hand ~~for cavers and polar workers~~.		* [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer-II]], the 24-hour sibling with a date and fixed 24-hour hand.
	* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] ~~— the~~ parallel 1953 ~~launch. Same year, same case architecture, different tool job~~.		* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]], a parallel 1953 professional model with a rotating dive bezel.
	* [[Reference:air-king\|Air-King]] ~~— the shared-case cousin. The 1500-~~family ~~movement that powers the 1016 also powers the 5500~~; the 5504 ~~wears a 1016~~ case with Air-King dial text.		* [[Reference:air-king\|Air-King]], a related Oyster family; the 5504 uses an Explorer-like case with Air-King dial text.


	== Shared references ==		== Shared references ==

	* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]] — date ~~any Explorer from its serial~~		* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]], for approximate date ranges
	* [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]] — the calibers used across the Explorer line		* [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]], for the calibers used across the Explorer line
	* [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet & clasp guide]] — bracelet types, end-links, and clasp date codes		* [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet and clasp guide]], for bracelet types, end-links and clasp date codes

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: Place orphaned variant reference-chart image after intro

2026-09-14T04:46:34Z

Place orphaned variant reference-chart image after intro

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:46, 14 September 2026
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	[[File:Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp\|thumb\|center\|500px\|alt=Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition — the event that launched the Explorer name\|Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition — the event that launched the Explorer name]]		[[File:Ref Explorer everest 1953.webp\|thumb\|center\|500px\|alt=Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition — the event that launched the Explorer name\|Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest expedition — the event that launched the Explorer name]]

			[[File:Ref Explorer reference chart.webp\|thumb\|center\|700px\|alt=Reference chart of Explorer I variants by circa date, case, and movement\|Explorer I variants at a glance — reference, dial detail, circa dates, case, and movement]]

	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:22:31Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:22, 5 September 2026
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	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==

	~~{\| style~~="~~width:100%; border~~-~~collapse:separate; border~~-~~spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;~~"		<div class="rp-grid">
	\|-		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Identifying a vintage 36mm Explorer?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:1016\|1016]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">The twenty-nine-year foundation reference, gilt Types 0 through 6, matte Marks 0 through 5.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Identifying a vintage 36mm Explorer?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:1016\|1016]]~~''' — the~~ twenty-nine-year foundation reference, gilt Types 0 through 6, matte Marks 0 through 5.		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Cross-checking a sapphire-era 36mm?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:14270\|14270]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First sapphire-crystal Explorer, caliber 3000, five dial generations, plus the Blackout variant that re-set the modern Explorer market.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Cross-checking a sapphire-era 36mm?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:14270\|14270]]~~''' — first~~ sapphire-crystal Explorer, caliber 3000, five dial generations, plus the Blackout variant that re-set the modern Explorer market.		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Working from a 39mm dial photo?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:214270\|214270]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First size change in fifty-seven years. Caliber 3132 with Paraflex shock absorbers, and the Mark 1 (no lume numerals) vs Mark 2 (lume) split.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Working from a 39mm dial photo?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:214270\|214270]]~~''' — first~~ size change in fifty-seven years. Caliber 3132 with Paraflex shock absorbers, and the Mark 1 (no lume numerals) vs Mark 2 (lume) split.		</div>
	\|}

	== Pre-Explorer and early references (1952–1959) ==		== Pre-Explorer and early references (1952–1959) ==