It’s somewhat ironic that though Rolex has a plethora of sports watches in its current catalogue, one of its most sought-after and revered replica Rolex watches UK is the humble Explorer. I say ironic because, whilst the Explorer is an iconic watch, it’s probably Rolex’s most understated and subdued sports watch.
The Rolex Explorer has been a mainstay of the brand’s line-up since 1953, when it was introduced following the successful expedition to the peak of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Both men were given AAA+ clone Rolex watches by Rolex to wear to the summit, and it’s in honour of their achievement that the Explorer was named.
Since then it’s become a staple of the Rolex collection, undergoing several updates over the decades. Of course, the elephant in the room is that cheap fake Rolex watches are exceptionally hard to come by these days. However, that’s a story in itself, so I’m going to set that aside for another time and focus on just the watch itself.
Despite its reputation, at first glance, the Explorer might seem a fairly humdrum watch. The specs are after all, identical to that of Rolex’s entry watch, the Oyster Perpetual. However, the specs aren’t what makes the Explorer special. What does is how Rolex has executed the latest version of a design that’s existed for nearly 70 years.
Whilst the previous Explorer was 39mm, the current Explorer 124270 has made a welcome return to the 36mm Oyster case that’s been traditionally used for the replica watches. Contrary to popular belief, the case is made from 904L steel, not unobtanium. Rolex uses 904L steel because it is more corrosion-resistant and takes on a better shine when polished compared to the more commonly used 316L steel.
Whilst the classic Oyster case is nothing new, I was immediately taken in by its beauty. The case sides have a subtle curve and the smooth polished bezel looks exceptionally crisp. Combined with Rolex’s incredibly high standard of finishing, the Explorer feels downright luxurious to hold.
The Explorer features a Twinlock screw-down crown, which helps give the copy Rolex watches for sale 100m water resistance. It’s not a particularly high rating, but for the average wearer, it will be all you need.
The watch wears very well on the wrist, being a relatively slim 11.5mm thick. In fact, it’s one of the most comfortable rolex watches I’ve ever worn, and I could easily forget I was wearing it. (That is if I didn’t look at it every 5 minutes to admire how goddamn gorgeous it looks).
The lugs are 19mm wide, and whilst this is an awkward size for aftermarket straps, it allows the lugs to be a bit thicker and therefore stops the case from looking dainty. The bracelet feels very solid, and its drastic 5mm taper helps the watch feel quite dressy. However the clasp doesn’t feel too small, and like the rest of the watch, it feels very well made. Though whilst the Explorer fits me perfectly, it would be nice to see the Glidelock on-the-fly micro-adjustment feature on the clasp. Instead, your only option is a 5mm extension link built into the bracelet.
If you’re the type of person who only wants one watch, then I don’t think you can go wrong with the Explorer. It’s a superb blend of understated refinement and technical achievement. This is a tool watch that’s simple, but where every aspect of it has been pushed to be the best it can be.
You can wear it in practically any situation and it’ll keep great time. So, I guess you could say I’m something of a Rolex convert, and I’ll admit I wouldn’t mind adding an Explorer to my collection.
