Rolex Explorer 6298

The Rolex Explorer ref. 6298 was produced from 1953 to 1956 and is one of the rarest and most important transitional models in the early Explorer lineage. This reference followed the 6098 and was part of the ‘Pre-Explorer’ family, often considered a direct forerunner to the official Explorer models that followed. It featured a 36 mm stainless steel Oyster case with a domed acrylic crystal and a smooth bezel, housing the Rolex Caliber A296—a self-winding movement derived from Rolex’s bubbleback architecture. The case thickness was approximately 13 mm, with a 44 mm lug-to-lug distance and a 20 mm lug width. Dials varied significantly, with some examples showing early iterations of the 3-6-9 Explorer layout, often with gilt text and radium lume. While not all 6298s are signed ‘Explorer,’ their configuration and role in mountaineering tests, including prototypes used during the 1953 British Everest expedition, mark them as crucial to Rolex’s tool watch development. Due to its rarity, short production run, and historical significance, the 6298 holds a prestigious place among early Rolex sport models and is highly sought after by collectors.