Rolex Revisited: Rolex Explorer Watch

Rolex Explorer 39mm

Throughout its span in production the Rolex Explorer has been through an array of modifications. Originally manufactured as something else, the Rolex Explorer watch earned its name from being one of the first watches to reach the peak of Mount Everest. Since then, it has been acknowledged as the official watch for mountain climbers and extreme sports seeker for its endurance against severe temperatures, and impressive durability. 

Born in 1953, the Rolex Explorer watch is made out of remarkably strong 904L Steel, runs on an in house self winding perpetual mechanical movement, has a 39mm diameter case, monoblock middle case, screw down case back, stop seconds function, and winding crown with trip lock double waterproofness. Waterproof up to 100 meters, or 330 feet, the black dial features center hour, minute, and seconds hands illuminated by Chromalight, a distinctive luminescence that lasts double the length of time as common luminescent materials. Additionally, the dial features large 3-6-9 hour markers and bears the Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer seal. 

Rolex Explorer Watch Band

Thanks to the paramagnetic blue parachrom hairspring oscillator, this little warrior has high performance paraflex shock absorbers. 

Rolex Explorer Watch Strap

Available in 904L Stainless Steel, the watch strap for the Rolex Explorer watch band is an oyster strap. 

Rolex GMT Master II 116710 Series

Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN

Featuring a two time zone function, the Rolex GMT Master II 116710 series was originally crafted as a traveling navigation chronometer to accompany aviates on long distance travels.

Measuring out to a 40mm diameter case, the Rolex GMT Master II 116710 series collection is made out of steel, has a screw down case back with winding crown, rapid date, and center hour, minute, seconds, and 24 hour hands. Additionally the hour hand has an autonomous quickset feature with additional stop seconds function for precise time setting. 

Rolex GMT Master II watchband

Designed with increased scratch resistance, the cerachrom bidirectional graduated bezel with 24 hour time zone combined with the dial’s sapphire lens, fight wear with sustained durability. Running on a perpetual mechanical movement, or 3186 calibre, the GMT Master II watch is self-winding, has a screw down triplock triple waterproofness system, and is waterproof up to 100 meters or 330 feet. The most recent GMT Master II watch on  the market now has flat three piece links for the GMT Master II watch strap.

GMT Master II watch strap

Bearing the Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer seal, the GMT Master II watch comes in Black Cerachrom on a GMT Master II watchband that is an Rolex Oyster Bracelet or Black and Blue Cerachrom on a GMT Master II watch strap that is an Rolex Oyster Strap. 

Watchband for GMT Master II

Special Edition Panerai Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio on Brown Alligator Watch Strap

PAM00601 Brown Leather Watch Strap

I’ve briefly mentioned this novelty Panerai piece at the beginning of SIHH 2015 last week, but just for the appreciation of craftsmanship I’d like to revisit this special edition 2015 beauty with a little more of an in depth review. 

PAM00601 Alligator Leather Watch Band

Exuding a warm and old school look is the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio Special Edition on a brown leather watch band. Equipped with a hand-wound mechanical P.2002/E calibre based on Panerai’s first in house movement, anti-shock device, equation of time function, 8 day power reserve with power reserve indicator on the see through sapphire crystal back, and seconds reset, this watch is certainly something else. 

PAM00601 Dial

As only 4 days out of the year actually contain a full 24 hours, the equation of time indicator has been designed to read the difference between mean time and true time for a most accurate evaluation of the hour. All you need to do to set this special feature is just fix the date and month. 

PAM00601 Leather Watch Band

Measuring out to a 47mm diameter case that is water resistant up to 10 bar or 330 ft., the dial features the hours, minutes, date, and month. If this watch seems generous in mass, the impressive size can be attributed to the large and impressive calibre.

Limited to 100 pieces, the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio is made of AISI 361L stainless steel, an alloy that is known for being particularly resistant to corrosion, and comes on an alligator watch strap. 

PAM00601 Alligator Watch Strap