Rolex, Explorer 1, 36mm ref. 14270 from 1991

The Rolex Explorer I 14270 is one of the purest and most historically significant watches Rolex has ever produced. The Explorer was born in 1953 to commemorate the first ascent of Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay — both wearing Rolex on their wrists at the moment they reached the summit — and since then it has maintained with almost religious fidelity the principles that defined it from day one: absolute legibility, uncompromising robustness, and a dial that needs no introduction.

The reference 14270, produced between 1989 and 2001, was the first Explorer to feature a sapphire crystal and the Calibre 3000 — a Rolex in-house movement that marked the beginning of a new mechanical era for the collection. The black dial with triangular, rectangular and circular indices at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions, the luminescent Mercedes hands and the "Explorer" inscription in red represent one of the most recognizable and unaltered designs in the history of watchmaking. The 36mm Oystersteel case with Oyster bracelet — today considered the ideal size by many collectors over the larger subsequent versions — completes a piece of genuine collecting value with a proven history.

Brand: Rolex
Model: Explorer I
Reference: 14270
Serial Number: X618146
Year of Manufacture: 1991
Material: Oystersteel
Dimensions: 36mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Luminous Material: Tritium
Movement: Automatic — Calibre 3000
Bracelet: Oyster with folding clasp
Box/Papers: Watch Only
Mechanical Warranty: 6 Months
Comments: Good condition.