Explanation of the history and chronology of EXPLORER products

Cal.3285
Power reserve: 70 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 42mm

The fifth-generation Explorer II, Ref. 226570, was announced in 2021, the 50th anniversary of the Explorer II's birth, so it was expected to feature major changes, but in fact, the opposite was true. The watch maintains the established design while undergoing thorough updates, showcasing the rugged, simple character characteristic of Rolex. While there are no significant changes, a new case and bracelet design has been adopted, resulting in a more harmonious watch while retaining the original design. In terms of functionality, it is equipped with the new-generation movement, Cal. 3285, which boasts excellent shock resistance and antimagnetic properties, enabling a long power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

Cal.3230
Power reserve: 70 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 36mm

In April 2021, the Ref. 214270, a beloved model that has remained unchanged for over 10 years, underwent a model change. This is the first yellow Rolesor model in the Explorer I series, and the bezel, crown, and bracelet center links are made of 18K yellow gold, creating a completely different design from previous models and adding a touch of elegance. The bracelet is composed of satin-finished stainless steel side links and polished center links. The Ref. 124270 is a stainless steel model. Both models feature lacquered dials with the SWISS name printed on them, adding a crown mark design, and are equipped with Rolex's latest generation movement, the Cal. 3230.

Cal.3187
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 42mm

The Ref. 216570 was released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the model's creation. Significant changes from the previous model, the Ref. 16570, include a sense of luxury, visibility, and ease of use. The bright orange 24-hour hand is reminiscent of the original Ref. 1655. The larger case size has led to larger indices, hour, minute, and 24-hour hands, improving legibility. Furthermore, the luminous material has been changed, with the luminous paint for the indices and hands being changed from Super-LumiNova to Chromalight. The luminous color has also changed from green to blue, significantly increasing the luminous duration to approximately eight hours. As a result, visibility in the dark has also been improved.

Cal.3132
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 39mm

The case diameter was increased from 36mm to 39mm. The movement was changed to Cal. 3132, which provides extremely high magnetic and shock resistance. A minor change was also made in 2016.

Cal.3130
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 36mm

The Ref. 114270, released in 2001, is the model one generation before the current Explorer I (as of 2022) and the last model with a 36mm case diameter. Its high design, inherited from the early models among the many Rolex models, is known for the fact that it has remained largely unchanged since its design was perfected.

Cal.3185, Cal.3186
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 40mm

The third model of the Explorer II, the Ref. 16570, is similar in design to its predecessor, the Ref. 16550, but the most notable change is the transition to the Cal. 3185 movement. It also boasts enhanced functionality, including a date display and GMT function. It has been a best-selling model for nearly 20 years, and features a 40mm case from the Explorer II last model.

Cal.3000
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 36mm

The Ref. 14270 is a complete redesign of the previous Ref. 1016. It features the Cal. 3000, a high-frequency automatic movement created using cutting-edge technology at the time. The crystal is made of sapphire crystal, boasting exceptional strength rather than plastic. The dial, indexes, and base are all now a lustrous, deep black, giving the watch a bold, reborn design.

Cal.3085
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 40mm

This highly rare model was produced for only four or five years. The Ref. 16550 also represents a significant change in design from the Explorer II, with features such as dotted hour markers, a Mercedes hand on the hour hand, and a triangle at 12 o'clock on the dial.

Cal.1570
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 40mm

Developed as an advanced version of the Explorer I, the first model of the Explorer II, the Ref. 1655, was released in 1971. Its robust case and 24-hour bezel feature a 24-hour scale. It also comes standard with a crown guard, a large 24-hour hand with a triangle, and a date display, making it highly functional and suitable for use in conditions where day and night are unclear. The luminous paint color on the 24-hour hand is a design element, but it also ensures visibility in dim light and under a flashlight. While the brochure lists it as red, it's unclear whether it's the result of fading over time or a repaint, and the actual color may be red, orange, or yellow.

Caliber 1560, Caliber 1570
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 100m, case size: 36mm

The Ref. 1016, the third model of the Explorer I, is said to be the prototype for the current Explorer. It was a long-selling model manufactured for approximately 30 years, solidifying the Explorer I's unwavering popularity and its stoic, tough image. It is also famous for consolidating and establishing the basic design of the Explorer, which had previously featured many different details. The 1016 is divided into early and late models based on the production period and the movement they are equipped with, and differs in whether or not it has a hacking function that stops the second hand.

Cal.1530
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 50m, case size: 35mm

It is considered one of the Explorer I's boys' models available in various countries. In the 1960s, the Ref. 5500 and Ref. 5504 were developed for overseas markets. The Ref. 5500 was a UK-spec model, characterized by its 34mm case. It is commonly known as the Boys' Explorer. The Ref. 5504 was also sold in North America as a dress line, and became popular. This reference number is also sometimes called the Big Air King, as it originally existed as an Air King reference number.

Cal.1030
Power reserve unknown, water resistance 50m, case size 36mm

Just one year after the release of the first model, the second model, the Reference 6610, was born, equipped with the bidirectional winding Cal. 1030. It is a chronometer model and is equipped with the world's first bidirectional rotating winding movement, Cal. 1030. In terms of design, the hour hand has been changed to a Mercedes-Benz hand.

Cal.A296
Power reserve: 48 hours, water resistance: 50m, case size: 36mm

This is the first model to be featured as an Explorer in a Rolex advertisement, and is a memorable first. It is said to be the origin of the Explorer design, and early models feature features such as a guilloche dial, leaf hands, a large dot second hand, and long vented hands. It is equipped with the Caliber A296 automatic movement. It dates back to the era of the so-called "semi-bubble back" model, with its bulging case back. Also released around the same time was the Reference 6150, a non-chronometer model equipped with the same Caliber A296 movement.