Fresh from the showcase here at SwissWatchExpo and the newest and most controversial addition
to the Rolex line is here. And I'm going to talk all about it right now.
It is 2021, and Rolex has just introduced an Explorer I in a two-tone finish — the first time
in this watch's long and storied history. One of the absolute prides of the Rolex sport line, the
Explorer came out in 1953, sort of to commemorate the scaling of Mount Everest, which I'm not a big
mountain climbing enthusiast. I had no idea it took us that long to do that, but in 1953,
that expedition was a success and they actually wore a Rolex — not an Explorer because the
Explorer was sort of in production coinciding with it. I'm not sure if they just couldn't get
it to market or couldn't get the prototype done in time. But after the expedition had completed, they
of course released this watch. And it's been an absolute cornerstone of the Rolex line ever since
part of the controversy about putting it out in two-tone for those of you who don't know
where it might not care too terribly much about what watch enthusiasts bicker about
is the considering that it is part of the sport line.
It was considered to be a very rugged type of watch when it was introduced. And now of course,
with a smaller 36 millimeter case and a two-tone finish, well, it's not exactly the same kind of
watch as the Explorer was, at least when it was originally envisioned. So I guess it sort of
comes down to how much of a purist you are. And I certainly understand the arguments surrounding it.
I mean, when the Explorer came out in 1953, it predated any sort of like COSC certification by
several years, at least a decade or so. So of course, having a watch that was meant to be
tested under extremely harsh conditions and meant to be worn during expeditions
where you would absolutely be testing the sort of temperature and pressure limits of your mechanical
timepiece. This was sort of a breakthrough, or at least in the way it was marketed.
I'm not really sure how durable it was compared to other sport watches of its day,
but Rolex certainly did a fantastic job of convincing the public that, and as such
people have been buying and loving the Explorer ever since.
Some of the trademarks of the Explorer that are here in this watch of course are going to be the
iconic dial. It's going to be a black dial — if they ever changed the black dial color,
that would even be more controversy for us to unpack. But it'll always have a black dial,
the three, six and nine Arabic numerals in that position with the triangle up top. And
of course the Mercedes hands — as its colloquial called because of course the markings here on the
hour hand are a little reminiscent of that. That's sort of the iconic things that an Explorer always
have. And as far as I know, unless Rolex gets really controversial in the future, always will.
Another thing that it almost always did have was a brushed finish. I believe every and bracelet
had a fully brushed finish to of course, make it a very rugged looking sort of adventurous
mountaineering type of watch. And of course, going with a two-tone high polish finish kind of goes
away with that altogether. So that's one of the many things that makes this a very controversial
addition for the Rolex line. And of course it definitely got people talking when it was released
so that — what can I say? Mission accomplished. Whether you love or hate this watch, people have
been talking about it. And it's definitely going to get people to add some Explorers to their
collections when they otherwise might not have people who are only looking for sort of a dressy
special occasion Rolex that would never in a million years considered going with the Explorer.
Now you sort of have an option and I can certainly see why with the smaller case and everything.
It doesn't really look as much like a vintage sport watch, but in some ways it does,
this is definitely been retooled, but of course, because now so many other watches as so many other
movements are tested to the same standards of the Explorer was when it came out. What is really the
purpose of a vintage styled sport watch now than it was 70 or some odd years ago, that's sort of
it. So I guess if you're looking for a definitive answer to the controversy around this watch,
I really don't have it. I understand this is a very different Explorer. I also understand that
no one has to buy this watch. And Rolex has been making sport watches in two tones for years now.
So why wouldn't they add this to their collection of that? I do think it's a beautiful watch for
someone who's looking for more of a traditionally styled dress or a modern dress size with more of a
vintage shape. And that's definitely what this watch does, and it's not something everyone's
going to want to add to their collection, but it is beautiful to look at and it'll look stunning
for someone who wants more of a sporty shape with a two-tone finish. And of course, Rolex is still
making this watch in steel. If for some reason, the two-tone is just too strange to look at,
and it's not that big of a departure from the earlier models of it. Again,
this is still very much an Explorer at its heart and anyone who's familiar with that
model should be able to tell the first thing really the moment they look at it.
So it's a beautiful watch. You can argue about it in the comments. If you want,
you can call us and argue about it if you want cause we've got both and we're more than happy
to sell you either. And, and of course, we've got a ton of other brands, a ton of other models, both
both, you know, recent and more vintage. So even if you want the older Explorers, we've got those
in stock too, and a myriad of other brands. So like and subscribe to our channel. If you
haven't yet, give us a call, let us know what we can put on your wrist at SwissWatchExpo.com.