If there’s one watch you can throw on every morning and not take off until you’re back in bed, it might just be this one.
The Rolex Explorer has long flown under the radar. It’s not the loudest or flashiest model in Rolex’s lineup, but that’s exactly why we rate it so highly.
Versatile, reliable, historically significant and quietly confident, it has all the components of the perfect daily wearer that does it all without asking for attention.
Rolex Explorer / Rolex
Built to Be Lived with
So many great watches out there are great at one thing. The Explorer happens to be great at a lot of things.
It’s clean, balanced, and incredibly wearable, with a black dial and silver steel bracelet that will match nearly any attire, formal or casual. You can wear it to work, to a dinner party, the Bahamas, your kids’ tennis match, and anywhere in between.
The simplicity of the design is timeless, with the perfect mix of sportiness and dressiness. It doesn’t scream for attention, which is a must for any everyday watch. The last thing you need is everyone noticing your wrist, but for someone to recognise this model, they typically already have a baseline understanding of watch collecting, think of it as sifting out the unnecessary comments.
People will notice the watch, but not instantly recognise it as “you’re wearing a Rolex”, making it perfect for daily wear. It’s not instantly identifiable like a Submariner or Daytona, which is refreshing that you can get brand prestige without the baggage.
Via Watch Exchange
Unchanged for 70 Years
Since the first Explorer released in the 1950s, the dial configuration hasn’t changed. That puts it in rare company, alongside models like the Cartier Tank (Since 1917) and Omega Seamaster (since 1948) as one of the oldest continuously produced watches in the world.
The Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9, the inverted triangle at 12 and the baton-style markers everywhere else is pure class, and gives you everything you need for those regular glimpses at your wrist throughout the day.
It looks just as good today as it did 70 years ago, which says a lot about the design language Rolex got right the first time.
In 2021, Rolex brought the Explorer back to its original 36mm size, down from the modern-era 39mm. A small shift, the smaller case suits more wrist sizes and feels much more appropriate for everyday wear. You’ll often notice vintage watches are typically much smaller, and with that came a certain subtlety and prestige. The smaller the watch, the less attention it demands from others, and when you’re wearing something everyday, that goes a long way.
At 36mm it fits in, not too sporty or dressy, just sitting nicely in the middleground, where an everyday piece should be.
The Movement
Under the hood, the watch runs on Rolex’s in-house caliber 3230 movement, chronometer certified and highly anti-magnetic, thanks to Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring. This simply means it’s extremely accurate, durable and resistant to the magnetic fields we’re constantly surrounded by.
It also has 100 metres of water resistance, which is made possible via the screw-down crown and caseback (provided you keep them that way). Shower with it, swim with it, wash your hands without worrying. Expect wear and tear and scratches, but remember it’s built to live with you, not in a watch roll.
While no Rolex is “cheap”, the Explorer sits at the more accessible end of the lineup. You’re getting the same quality, prestige and craftsmanship, but in a package with way less attention.
Of course the perfect daily watch will always come down to personal preference. Some may lean towards watches like the Omega Aqua Terra or others a Tudor Black Bay 36.
But if you’re looking for a simple, versatile, prestigious, high-quality watch that can tame any situation in your daily life, then look no further than the Rolex Explorer.