News! Rolex Releases Explorer 40 224270
Once a year, Rolex announces new models for the year, as well as, discontinues old models. Rolex used to do this at Baselworld watch fair but has moved to Watches and Wonders watch fair in Geneva ever since 2021.
It’s safe to say that Rolex is the single most anticipated and hyped brand that people are most curious about. Finally, the time has come, and on the 27th of March 2023, Rolex announced its new models.
There’s always a lot to discover and a lot of exciting releases and one of those is the new Explorer!
Rolex has officially presented the Explorer and naturally, all new sports/professional watches are the ones that get the most exposure, hype, and anticipation.
Rolex Explorer background and history
In 2021, Rolex completely updated and revamped the Explorer range. They discontinued the 39mm Explorer 214270 and replaced it with the 36mm Explorer 124270. Moreover, Rolex discontinued the 216570 and replaced it with the new-generation 216570.
To be honest, we did not expect Rolex to touch the Explorer collection for a few years considering the fact that Rolex completely revised both of its Explorer models. This is why the news around the Explorer 1 can as a bit of a surprise to a lot of people, including us.
Rolex began by including the Explorer in its teaser video. Normally, Rolex hides the new watches in its teaser videos very well so that it is difficult or impossible to tell the model. But for this video, it was very evident that we could expect a new Explorer to be released:
The teaser begins with a block of ice and then the Explorer appears. Even if we wouldn’t have seen the distinct “6” marker in the video, the fact that ice is included certainly tells us that it is an Explorer as it is built for the most challenging environments.
Presenting the New Rolex Explorer 40
So, what do we have here? This is the new Explorer. The same Explorer 1 we all know and love – virtually identical to the existing 36MM Explorer launched in 2021 but in a larger package. The new Explorer 40 is as the name suggests, 40mm in diameter instead of 36mm.
At first glance, the watch is very similar to what we are used to. It has a classic Oyster case and is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. It uses the signature flat and polished bezel which is an iconic design feature in the Explorer 1. Furthermore, we have the dial whose layout we are all familiar with. It has applied hour markers and Arabic numerals for the 3, 6, and 9, markers, providing excellent legibility thanks to the use of Chromalight which glows strongly.
If you’re familiar with the Explorer 36 or even the previous generation 39mm Explorer reference 214270, the new Explorer 40 224270 will feel very similar.
It is presented with a 40mm Oystesteel case with a satin finished and polished sides. The bezel has a polished finish and the watch is presented with the classic black dial with applied numerals and Arabic numerals for the 3, 6 , and 9 markers. It is presented on a mostly satin-finished oyster bracelet with a Easylink extension system.
The watch is powered by the In-house Rolex caliber 3230. This is a movement we’re quite familiar with and one that has been used for a few years now by Rolex. It has proven to be a robust and durable workhorse and offers a power reserve of 70 hours and an accuracy of +/-2 seconds per day.
So, what is the backstory of the new Explorer 40 224270? Well, in 2021, Rolex discontinued the 39mm Explorer ref 214270 in favor of the smaller 36mm 124270. The latter stayed more true to the original Explorer which was naturally made in a smaller diameter back in the day.
However, the 124270 didn’t gain the popularity that perhaps Rolex expected. THe reason for this is likely that for most men, 36mm wears too small for a sports watch. For a dress watch, a lot of people enjoy smaller sizes but for a rugged sport watch like the Explorer, it makes sense to have a more robust and sporty watch.
A lot of people complained about the 214270 in 39mm being gone from the collection so Rolex likely listened to this and now our prayers have finally been heard with Rolex’s launch of the 40mm Explorer 224270 which has a size that most men will love to wear.
Rolex Explorer 40 specifications
- Diameter: 40mm
- Movement: caliber 3230
- Power reserve: 70 hours
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
