ROLEX EXPLORER Models

In this article we take a close look at all Rolex Explore Models providing the technical characteristics of the models as well as photos of Rolex Explorer Models.

Rolex Pre Explorer Ref 6150 (1953)

6150 can be described as equally iconic and important in the Rolex Explorer Models collection as 6298. It is considered the earliest version of Explorer that isn’t signed as Explorer on the dial . Calibre: cal. A2960 automatic, 2 jewels, Movement number: 47’718 Size: 36 MM

Rolex Explorer Ref 6350 (1953 to 1955)

Presented in 1953, the first watch that carried the Explorer name in its dial, Caliber 1030 movement

Rolex Explorer I Ref 6610 (1955 to 1959)

One of the first Rolex Explorer Models 6610 first featured in 1959 as the replacement of 6150, with its amazing steel case, Oyster bracelet in 36mm and a black gilt dial, 3, 6, 9 indexes with tritium lime.

Reference 6610 “Red Depth Rating” (1955 to 1956)

Rolex Explorer Super Precision Ref 5504 (1958)

In 1958 Rolex Explorer Super Precision with Ref 5504 was introduced to the market. 5504 is actually identical with 6610 with Cal: 1030, Diameter: 36MM Crystal: Plexiglass, Dial: 3, 6, 9 Arabic numerals.

Rolex Explorer II Ref 5500 (1958 – 1967)

5500 is a tricky watch as it is actually an Air King with the typical 3,6,9 Explorer dial. Available in two versions Precision and Super Precision with a limited number of pieces as it was only produced between 1958 – 1967. Calibre: cal. 1520 automatic winding, 26 jewels Diameter: 34 MM

Rolex Explorer Ref 1016 (1960 to 1989)

Rolex Explorer 1016 was presented in the late 1950s with its amazing glossy and matte black dial, carrying Cal 1560 and 1570, Diameter: 36MM, Dial: 3, 6, 9 Arabic numerals in tritium lume. Discontinued in 1989 and replaced by 14270.

Rolex Explorer I Ref 14270 (1989-2010)

REFERENCE 14270: Explorer I model. No-Date. SIZE: 36mm. DIAL: 3, 6, 9 Arabic numerals. CALIBER: 3000

Rolex Explorer II Nicknamed “Steve McQueen” Ref 1655

One of the most sought out of Rolex Explore Models is the ” Steve McQueen”. The amazing Explorer II that Steve McQueen used to wear in real life therefore 1655 took its name after this amazing actor that was highly connected with him.

Technical Characteristics:

Reference 1655: Explorer II nicknamed ”Steve McQueen”. 24-hour bezel, GMT hand, waterproof screw-down crown, acrylic crystal, CIRCA: 1973, Dial: black, Calibre: cal. 1575 automatic, 26 jewels, Case: stainless steel, Dimensions: 39mm

ROLEX EXPLORER Models — ROLEX EXPLORER STEVE MCQUEEN

Rolex Explorer II “Polar Dial” Ref 16570

Reference 16570: With its unique Polar Dial produced in both Black and White, 24-hour bezel, GMT hand, Case: Stainless steel, Dimensions: 40MM. Due to a mistake in the production in the early series some of the white dials are creamy.

Rolex Explorer II Ref 16550

With 24-hour bezel Hands, luminous 24-hour big arrow hand, the Rolex Explorer II reference 16550 is a watch that was dedicated to those who spent long periods of time in dark environments such as spelunkers. It is considered a predecessor of 16570.

Rolex Explorer I Ref 6298 “Big Bubblebacks”

This is considered as the prototype watch used by explorers in the early 1950s that lead Rolex to create a special line for the adventurers the till now known as the Explorer also called “Big Bubblebacks” due to its case back. CALIBRE : A296 Automatic and Dimension: 36MM

Rolex Explorer Ref 6098

Introduced in the 1950s it was the only Explorer with a white dial and without feature Arabic numerals at the quarters until of the Explorer II. It is also considered as the successor of 5520. Diameter: 36MM, Cal: a 296/

Rolex Explorer II Ref 5506

This amazing watch was presented in the mid 1950s , it was the first time that Rolex used 1530 automatic movement and was available in two tone and gold filled case. Dimensions: 34MM Movement: Automatic Rolex Caliber 1520.

Rolex Explorer II Ref 216570

Introduced in 2015 Dial: Black and White, Dimension 42mm, stainless steel automatic dual time wristwatch with date and bracelet, Circa: 2015, Caliber: cal. 3187 automatic, 31 jewels.

Rolex Explorer II Ref 16570

Dial: Black and White, Calibre: cal. 3185 automatic, 31 jewels Dimension 39mm. It is important to note that in 1995 Rolex with Van Cleef collaborate in order to create a special edition dial that was sold in Sothebys. Its unique dial signed by Van Cleef is making it extremely collectable and rare in the Rolex Explorer Models Collection.

Rolex Explorer II Ref 6299

6299 : The reference 6299, as opposed to the standard 6298, refers to the watch being Yellow gold/stainless steel as opposed to the ref 6298 being only stainless steel.

Rolex Explorer II Ref 5501

Is also considered to be part of the big Air King collection that was presented in 1945 with its fluted gold bezel and named ”Precision” on the dial and the text ”Explorer”. Some of this models have a honeymoon dial making the watch extremely rare and highly collective. Calibre: cal. 1530 automatic, 25 jewels, Diameter: 34MM

Want to learn more about Rolex Explorer Models? Check out our article that describes how everything started.

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ROLEX EXPLORER History

Rolex Explorer the watch that every explorer should have, keeping deep in its DNA the danger, the reveals, the conger, the feelings, the joy, the worry, the excitement of many explorers. For me is considered as the watch that keeps inside many feelings and actually keeps inside the meaning of life, to continue our journey when everything is not going according to our plans and to explore new ideas, culture, feeling , smells and actually to explore life in all its senses.

In 1953 Rolex launched a new watch addressed to the special needs of the explorers and the adventurous, the new Explorer. Making its first public debut at Mount Everest and forever linked with the great expedition that was led by Sir John Hunt.

1952, Explorer Ref 6098 and 6150

In the beginning of 1950s Rolex was famous for the extremely reliable, waterproof, under any condition tough and accurate watches. In order to move a step further towards that direction Rolex is focusing on creating a new series of watches exclusively designed to the extreme sometimes needs and conditions of the explorers. Starting its first efforts and designs in 1950 two years later in 1952 it is ready to give its new watch, the Explorer with reference 6098 and 6150, to a selected group of people that they are going to test it under extreme conditions.

At this stage it is noticeable that the watch doesn’t have a name on the dial singing this series and was accompanied with the characteristic Bubble Back case, accompanied with a white dial and the characteristic triangle made from steel or bras pointing 3,6 and nine o clock. The first models of Explorer 6298 and 6150 were characterized as Precision and it was until 6350 that we could spot Explorer at the dial.

Late 1950’s ROLEX EXPLORER Expansion

In the late 1950’s Rolex enjoyed a fast growth in the new markets of Asia and North America. In order to continue Explorer success it created a new model that used the successful characteristic dial of the Explorer but now with a 19 mm bracelet and a 1520 movement that was named Air-King. Also in this period Rolex stopped producing Honeycomp dial, textured dial, for the Explorer.

1960’s ROLEX EXPLORER

In the early 1960s Rolex is changing the mark on the bottom of the dial from Swiss to Swiss T<25

1970‘s ROLEX EXPLORER 1655 FRECCIONE

In the early 1970s Rolex made a lot of changes for Rolex Explore, the Rolex crown logo changed. The first model to be spotted with this significant change was Rolex Explorer under the Reference 1016. At the same period we notice that on models with reference 5500 on the bottom of the dial they are adding Precision. A fresh start for Explorer begun with the introduction of the Explorer II that was launched in 1971 under the reference 1655. 1655 is also known as Freccione coming from the Italian word that means the arrow due to its large and brightly colored hands as seen in the photo below.

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