Rolex and exploration go hand in hand. In the history of the famous luxury brand, discovering places 'hostile' to man and climbing mountains over a thousand metres high have been essential in bringing the brand to where it is today. Rolex watches are fortunate to have participated in some of the most important explorations of the 20th century, which has allowed the watch to evolve from strength to strength. During each expedition, its reliability and robustness have been tested, and the experience of living the world as a laboratory has been taken into account.
Living the adventure, but with an accessory that lets you enjoy it to the full thanks to its performance is even more satisfying. The Rolex brand relies on cutting-edge technology thanks to the commitment the company has put into its watches for over a century. The first pioneers to set off with a Rolex on their wrist date back to the 1930s. However, the year that marks the exploration and history of the luxury brand is 1953.
1953 was a year that made history: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay successfully climbed Mount Everest. The two mountaineers and pioneers of adventure tackled the 8,848-metre summit with a Rolex on their wrist, making an unprecedented global impact. Every day spent on Mount Everest is a struggle for survival due to the freezing temperatures, atmospheric pressure and hostile environment. In extreme conditions, the two climbers reached the summit and made history.
Among the technical equipment Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay needed to tackle this difficult journey was a Rolex watch. Not just any Rolex, but the first Explorer model. Prior to this great feat, the luxury brand had tested its Oyster Perpetual watch - the forerunner of the Explorer - on the Himalayas and their peaks. The mountain range attracted the interest of mountaineers from all over the world, giving the Swiss company the opportunity to test its watches. Between 1933 and 1955, seventeen expeditions were equipped with Rolex watches.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the watch that accompanied the mountaineers on their seventeen expeditions. Thanks to the explorers, the company founded by Hans Wilsdorf was able to understand what worked and what didn't in the watch. The evaluation criteria were based on water-resistance, robustness, practicality and precision. Fundamental characteristics for a watch designed for exploration. And it was at the same time as the Explorer reached the summit of Mount Everest that Rolex presented the model.
The first Rolex Explorer, identified by the reference 6350, was officially presented in 1953 just after the historic first victorious ascent of Mount Everest.
The Rolex Explorer is the world-famous, iconic sports model par excellence. It is the same model that accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in their exploits. After testing and finalising its performance, Rolex decided to launch it on the world market that same year. This was just the beginning of a range of models that would make the Swiss brand even more famous.
After years of testing and perfecting, Rolex has successfully introduced its Explorer. Today, it is one of the best-selling and most famous technical luxury models in the world. This is mainly due to its technical features. First of all, it has a dial that allows you to read the date and time clearly and neatly. What's more, the quality of the materials is remarkable, such as the glass, which is capable of withstanding scratches of all kinds. An essential element of a pioneer-proof watch is water-resistance. The watch guarantees water resistance to a depth of 100 metres, making it perfect for diving.
A watch that can withstand any adventure thanks to its performance and design. The distinction and uniqueness of Rolex watches have always fascinated lovers of fine watchmaking. From the dials to the bracelets and the choice of materials. Every little detail is meticulously crafted to convey elegance and tradition.
For decades, Rolex has advocated exploration, creating an inseparable link with the natural environment. With the arrival of the 21st century, it is inevitable that certain demands have changed within the Swiss brand. Like many others, Rolex has undertaken to defend the planet by creating the Perpetual Planet initiative in 2019. The aim of this project is threefold: to help those who are making the world a better place through the Rolex Award for Enterprise; to work with National Geographic to better understand climate change; and to save the oceans by working with Mission Blue.
Through this important environmental initiative, Rolex is making a major contribution to the meteorological station located on one of South America's highest peaks. But this is just the beginning of a long collaboration that will benefit both the luxury brand and planet Earth. The brand's constant quest for innovation has been at the service of the world's greatest explorers for decades. Rolex has risen to the top of the market, not only with the Explorer model, but with numerous sports watches such as the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex Daytona and the Rolex GMT Master.
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