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The scan below shows a very early
Explorer. It was sold in London UK at Sotheby´s .
Likely from ca
1940 !!! Original dial according to Sotheby´s Jonathan Darracot.
An other of these early models was sold at Ebay in 1999, it has
the reference 3478
and serialnumber 312 XXX.
One of the first
? ;-)
Both of the above mentioned watches are manualy
wound models in mediumsize.
This would mean the name Explorer
was used at least 10 years before the "famous" year of introduction
(1953). What complicates the reasearch further is the fact that
several reference numbers were used in 1953 for models bearing the
name Explorer on the dial. Some of these refrence numbers are :
6298, 6150, 6352....
We should not forget that already in
1933 Rolex sponsored expeditions
to the Himalayan mountains. That
would be 20 years before the "victorious expedition".
This of
course inspired the company to launch models such as *Explorer* and
*Everest*.
The modelname "Everest" also has a simular history as
it was reused again in
the 1950´s for the "new" line of
Oystermodels.
"
The very first Explorers were created for the first successful
ascent of Everest in 1953."
This can be
read in the booklet "Talking Points" (printed 1991) this is a little
informationbook handed out by Rolex to theire salestaff worldwide.
In the 1982 version of this booklet Rolex say I quote:
" The
Explorer 1, reference 1016, was created for the 1953 British Everest
Expedition "
...... Ref 1016 in 1953 ???
Have you ever seen
such a version ?....... Neither have I !
Today 1999
we are more aware than ever regarding the Explorers
history, one
expert believs the 6350 to be the "first"
an other considores the
6298....
So
what reference was the first ?
If we are to look
upon the year 1953 as the introduction of the *large*
Explorers
likely in impossible task unless Rolex opens theire
files..... Why ?
Simply because when looking at all the different
reference numbers and styles used for watches made in 1953 with the
name Explorer on the dial it´s
IMHO not possible to say this or
that ref was the first.
Especially when looking at all the
different dial versions from this year of "introduction". The
markings on the inside of the caseback do tell us in wich quarter of
the year it was produced, but who has checked all of them
?
It is also rather unfortunate that these "intial facts"
have been estabilshed worldwide making a ground for further
confusion even amongst
established auctionhouses such as
Christie´s.
It might well be the name Explorer was registered
in January 1953, but the fact remains, the name was used several
years before this, the "famous year of introduction".
When
comparing the Explorer with other Oystermodels from the 1950´s
it´s rather obvious that it was all about the dial.
Some
collectors mention a stronger case (?)...it might well be it could
be lubricated with "special" oils !?
Scan above shows a rare version of the
Explorer.
The same watchtype, ref, calibre, case dial can be
found on
watches marked Everest. This scan was provided
from
Marcello Pisani, a very knowledgable watchfriend in
Italy.
The above gold-filled Explorer scan was also provided
by Marcello Pisani.
I believe the time has come to
realise that a lot of the previously
written facts about
Rolexwatches should be looked upon
as the authors " thoughts
& beliefs " at the time of the
publicating of the book or
site.
Just like this page of mine.
White textured Explorer dial, golden hour markers and
hands
although fitted in a stainless steel case.
1950´s.
Above
an interesting all Stainless version of the
Explorer Date ref
5700.
(Photo with kind permission from D.Branaas,
www.watchcom.com)
I will try to keep these pages updated
with the lastest neews or thoughts,
so stay tuned.
There
still are so many questions unanswered regarding the
Explorer..
and a lot of further research has to be
conducted
before we can say "this is how it was".
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