1. The watches worn by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were not Explorer Unlike what many people think, and what Rolex has promoted, Hillary and Norgay did not wear Explorers when climbing Mount Everest.

2. Rolex released the Explorer after the successful Mount Everest climb The first Rolex Explorer was not released until after the successful climb. Rolex added the word ”Explorer” on the dial, and the first Explorer reference to be released was the reference 6350. These watches featured the now-iconic Arabic numbers at 3,6 and 9.

3. Rolex had tested watches on Himalayan expeditions since the 1930 As mentioned, the first official Explorer model did not come about until after the successful climb, but the fact is that Rolex had been developing and testing watches made for harsh conditions since the 1930

4. The first Explorer to carry the ”Explorer” name on the dial was the reference 6350 As such, it became the first official Explorer, although predecessors in the form of Oyster Perpetuals were made prior. These Oyster Perpetuals were Bubblebacks with the references 6098 and 6150.

5. The Explorer was developed to celebrate the success of the Mount Everest climb It was launched in 1953. The expeditionary team was led by Sir John Hunt.

6. Rolex made a Space Dweller Whilst the name is not similar to the Explorer, the Space Dweller was identical to the Explorer, but instead carried the name ”Space Dweller” on the dial. This watch is extremely rare and only made for the Japanese market.

7. Rolex released a date version Explorer Rolex also released an Explorer with a date function. This was the reference 5700. On the dial, the text ”Explorer Date” is printed.

8. The Explorer is designed to be Rolex’s most robust timepiece As the name reveals, it is made for explorers. As such, it is built to be a tool watch meant to handle rugged use and harsh conditions. To handle these conditions, the Explorer is equipped with Paraflex shock absorbers which gives them higher shock resistance.