Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2006 Reference No: 114270 Case No: D573’494 Model Name: Explorer Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3130, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co., LTD, Hong Kong dated 28th January 2006, instruction manual, product literature, hang tags, green card holder, 2006-2007 calendar card, original invoice, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Since gaining its groundbreaking status from conquering the summit of Everest in the 1950’s, the Rolex Explorer still thrives as one of the most important sports model by the Swiss firm. In production from 2001 to 2010, the ref. 114270 is a modern example of the much fathomed timepiece, still retaining its iconic charm of bearing its Arabic 3-6-9 dial and a 36mm Oyster case. Extremely well-balanced aesthetically, the ref. 114270 makes a perfect daily watch for the discerned collector whether in the boardroom during a hectic week or a relaxing weekend on the mountains.
The present example Rolex Explorer ref. 114270 is an unworn specimen from circa 2006 from the original owner who purchased the timepiece from a local retailer. The case is clean and partially retains its factory protective stickers, and is furthermore accompanied by its full set of accessories.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
