1991 Rolex Explorer I Ref. 14270 X Series - SOLD
The Rolex Explorer truly lived up to its name while being strapped to the wrist of Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953 when he became the first man to climb Mt. Everest. While the model has been updated since that first ascent to the world's highest mountaintop, the Explorer remains a tough watch that also offers an elegant and timeless design that looks at home on the wrist in nearly any situation.
The 14270 was introduced in 1989 as the replacement for the legendary reference 1016 Explorer with some big shoes to fill, and it did just that. The dial retained the familiar 3-6-9 layout and is a wonderfully balanced symmetric design, upgraded to a gloss finish with applied markers in the new reference and paired with a sapphire crystal made the watch a tad more formal but it remained as versatile as ever.
The example offered here is in outstanding condition, with a razor sharp unpolished case and a wonderful tritium dial and hands. Being an X series, this case also has lug holes which make for a sportier look than the later (1993-on) no-holes cases.
Condition is per the photos and as follows:
Case: 36mm stainless steel case in excellent condition as pictured. The case is extremely sharp with crisp edges and sharp brushing and appears unpolished. Crown screws down securely. Serial and reference numbers are both visible.
Bezel: Original stainless steel polished bezel in excellent condition as pictured.
Dial/Hands: Original black gloss tritium dial with applied markers free of any marks or damage. The original hands are also excellent.
Caseback: Original caseback in excellent condition as shown.
Crystal: Original sapphire crystal in excellent condition free of any scratches, chips or cracks.
Movement: Rolex caliber 3000 automatic movement with hacking. The movement is in excellent condition although service history is unknown. All functions work as they should.
Bracelet/Strap: Original 78360 bracelet with 558B end links in excellent condition with only minor swirl marks on the clasp and on some links. Bracelet should fit to a 7.5" wrist.
Box/Papers/Accessories: None, sold as watch only.