Description
The Rolex Explorer I 214270 is, essentially, a mix of the Oyster Perpetual 39 and the Submariner “No Date” in terms of case, bezel, dial, bracelet, and movement. This neatly leads us to the point I began with, that in terms of both price and features, many think they will end up with the best of both worlds if they go with the Explorer I.
It essentially has the 39mm Oystersteel monobloc middle-case of the OP with a profile that is slightly more curvaceous than the flat, trapezoid profile of the 40mm Oystersteel Submariner. The bezel of the Explorer I is different on each: The OP has a domed, high-polish bezel, while the Explorer I has what Rolex calls a “Smooth” bezel; it is just as nicely polished, but has a flat surface, rather than the convex bezel of the OP.
There is no Cerachrom anywhere on the Explorer I, which means you’ll certainly end up with at least some swirls on your steel bezel, but you’re definitely exempt from the fear of cracking your Cerachrom bezel insert. Water resistance in the Explorer I is a perfectly ample 100 meters, as opposed to the 300-meter rating of the Submariner.
We’d come to know this updated version as the ref. 214270 Mark II, but since it’s primarily just a reference to the dial, we also call it the Mark II dial. So, what’s different? Well, the Rolex Explorer Mark II had its Mercedes hands upgraded to a longer, more proportional size for the 39mm case. Additionally, the hands were also made a bit fatter, making them appear more fitted to the size of the watch.
Rolex also redesigned the indices, this time filling the 3, 6 and 9 Arabic numerals with luminous material. Not only did this brighten the appearance of the watch (literally) but it really gave the Explorer 214270 a sportier edge that many collectors felt was missing from the plane, white gold indices on the Mark I.
Today’s example is in Excellent Condition from 2018, complete with box and papers.
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