THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 14270
YEAR: 1994
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The Rolex Explorer line was first introduced in 1953 with the original reference 6350, featuring a 36 mm case and a black dial with Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9. Remarkably, this design formula still lives on more than 70 years later in the modern Explorer. The ref. 1016 was the longest-running Rolex model, produced for an impressive 30 years.

In the 1980s, Rolex modernised much of its collection with sturdier cases, sapphire crystals, and glossy dials. The Explorer reference 14270 debuted in 1989 and remained in production for 11 years. The tritium lume on the hands and markers on this example has aged to a rich, creamy hue, evenly matched across the dial. The lacquer surface has begun to break down after prolonged UV exposure, creating a subtle frost-like appearance.