Rolex Explorer I 14270: a Complete Guide

Rolex Explorer I 14270: a Complete Guide

Rolex’s Explorer range is, just like most other watch ranges of Rolex, a model that has had a long and interesting history, and which has been improved and refined to perfection over the years.

The Rolex Explorer has many historical moments under its name, and it is indeed a true classic. In Rolex’s lineup of Explorer watches, there is both the Rolex Explorer I and the Rolex Explorer II, and over the course of their history, they have both been improved, iterated, and changed visually in design.

In this article, however, we’re focusing on the Rolex Explorer I reference 14270, which is the predecessor of the Rolex Explorer I reference 214270 that was discontinued in 2021 and replaced by the 124270.

History of the Rolex Explorer

Rolex first launched its Explorer in 1953, and not surprisingly, the Rolex Explorer 14270 and the newer Rolex Explorer 214270 both have obvious design features that make them instantly recognizable as similar to the first Rolex Explorer, which is quite interesting considering the Explorer was released many decades ago.

The first Rolex Explorer had the reference 6610. The first Explorer model was in production for five years, when it was then replaced by the Explorer reference 1016 in 1963. Despite being very similar in design, the newer, Explorer 1016 was equipped with a new movement, the caliber 1560, and had a water resistance of 100 meters, different from its predecessor which only had 50 meters. Since the launch of the first Explorer, it has always been a watch with three hands: a second hand, a minute hand, and an hour hand. Its design is very minimalistic and clean, and is only manufactured in stainless steel, and is part of Rolex’s sports line.

The Rolex Explorer I hasn’t changed as much over the years as some people would love to have seen, but others like the fact that the 14270 is very similar to the first version of the Explorer.

It’s clear that the 14270 is based on the first Explorer model. It features the iconic 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals on the dial, the iconic Oyster Perpetual case, and the Mercedes hands. And considering that the 14270 was in production until many years after the first Explorer was released.

Today, the Explorer range isn’t as popular as say, the Submariner and the GMT-Master, however, the Explorer I is still an appreciated and loved watch among collectors. One of the reasons for that is the history behind the Explorer model. The most important event in the Explorer’s history is that it ascended Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. This went to show just how rugged and durable the Explorer model was, and it helped prove Rolex’s high quality.

The 14270 was eventually discontinued and was replaced by the 114270 in 2001. The two watches look almost identical to each other, but the noticeable differences are that the newer reference featured solid end links, a flip-lock bracelet clasp, and Luminova. It also featured a new, modernized movement. Both in 36mm. 

The mark 1 214270 is a model that has met a lot of criticism, as it is seen as a carryover model between the Explorer 14270 and the mark 2 214270 since it features a newer 39mm case, yet despite this, it features the same length hands as the 36 mm 14270, making it a less popular watch on the secondhand market. But that’s a different story.

In 2021, Rolex discontinued the 39mm Explorer reference 214270 and replaced it with the 36mm 124270. This was a very interesting move from Rolex as it meant going “back to the roots” and using the 36mm size. At the same time, Rolex released a gold and steel version, reference 124273.

Rolex Explorer 14270 specifications

In 1989, the Rolex Explorer 14270 was released. This model came to replace the predeceasing Explorer model, ref 1019. Upon being discontinued in favor of the 14270, the 1019 had been in production for a whopping 26 years. Since the watch had been in production for so long, elements such as the plexiglass crystal and the matte dial made the watch outdated and not up-to-date to the time’s design standards.

The differences between the new 14270 and the 1019 weren’t huge. In fact, design-wise, it was very obvious where the 14270 design came from. But technically, the models differed more from each other. In fact, the newer 14270 had a bunch of new technical features.

First off, the Explorer I 14270 was equipped with a new movement, the Rolex Caliber 3000. The movement was COSC certified, and it was the same movement also used in the Submariner 14060.

As the name reveals, the Explorer model is a watch in Rolex’s range that is made for the adventurer. The watch’s idea is that it is supposed to withstand great temperatures – both low and high, and extreme climates which the adventurer is in. As such, this movement was a very robust movement, built to withstand shocks and extreme temperatures. The movement of the 14270 features 27 jewels, has a 28,800 bph, and is the last of Rolex’s movements to use a balance cock, as opposed to a balance bridge.

Another new feature of the Explorer 14270 was that it now featured a sapphire crystal instead of a plexiglass crystal, which meant that the watch would be more robust and durable.

A more noticeable design feature was that the Explorer 14270 no longer had painted indexes, but rather applied indexes. The most iconic design feature would still remain, though, which was the Arabic numeral hour markers. The Explorer 14270 initially featured tritium for its luminous indexes, which could be seen at the bottom of the dial at 6 o’clock, where it says “T SWISS – T < 25” but Rolex came to change this mid-production of the Explorer 14270 in the years of 1997/1998, changing from tritium to Super Luminova as the luminous material. This means that there are Explorer 14270s that have tritium, and there are those that feature Superluminova.

The new Explorer 14270 kept its 36mm sized case, but the new design featured a case that was thicker and beefier, and thus more up-to-date to the standards at the time. The Oyster bracelet was made more rugged and durable, yet was still very similar in terms of design, with the same end links as on the 1016.

One might say that the Explorer I 14270 is a watch that has a simple elegance to it. It’s built on the Oyster Perpetual case, and has a very simple design, with the iconic Mercedes hour hand, a simple, polished bezel, and the symmetrical applied Arabic numerals. It’s not huge either and sits very discretely on the wrist. At the time that the watch was released, 36mm was the size that men’s watches were in, so it made sense for Rolex to keep the 36mm case size.

Despite being a watch for explorers, the simple, classy, and minimalistic design of the Explorer 14270 makes a very universal watch that looks just as good with a suit as it does with regular everyday clothes. The Explorer 14270 truly is a watch that you can rely on, and that will continue to tick year after year, as it is built to last, and to operate as a workhorse. Since the Explorer 14270 is a very discreet watch, it’s popular among people who don’t want to draw attention to their wrists.

If you want to buy a Rolex Explorer 14270, you’ll have no problem finding one. The demand for them isn’t huge and has essentially never been, but for the vintage 1016 Explorer, vintage Rolex collectors have started to get their eyes opened, which means the prices have slowly started to increase. As for the 14270, you can still get them at quite good prices, under the retail price of what you have to pay for a modern Explorer I, but who knows what will happen in the future?

The Explorer I is an underestimated classic, and getting one means that you’re buying a watch that offers great value for money.

As for the predecessors, these have started to increase in price, and today, it is getting increasingly difficult to find the earlier Explorers in good condition.

Conclusion

Today, there is a whole lineup of Rolex Explorer I watches to choose from. First, you have the earliest models, including the 1016. Then, you have the watch we’ve talked about here, the Explorer 14270, which was then followed by the 39mm 114270 and then the 214270.

The 14270 is despite now having become discontinued a watch that is increasing in popularity. The watch is aging to become more vintage and sought-after, and a 36mm case for a sports watch like the Explorer is something that a lot of collectors like.

The design is very simplistic and minimalistic, but it’s a very important watch in Rolex’s history and one that serves a great purpose in Rolex’s lineup of watches.

Which of the Explorer I watches is the best is up to you to design based on your preferences, but no matter what, through our source a watch service, we will help you find the Explorer you’re looking for.

Also, take a look at the Rolex watches that we currently have for sale.