Rolex Explorer 14270

The Rolex Explorer ref. 14270 was produced from 1989 to 2001 and marked a major aesthetic and technical evolution in the Explorer line. It replaced the long-standing ref. 1016 and brought with it a number of modern updates including a sapphire crystal, applied hour markers with white gold surrounds, and a high-gloss black dial. The 36 mm stainless steel Oyster case remained consistent with its predecessor in size but featured improved water resistance and a more refined bracelet and clasp system. It was powered by the Rolex Caliber 3000 automatic movement, offering hacking seconds, a smoother hand-winding mechanism, and a 48-hour power reserve. The case thickness was approximately 11.5 mm, with a lug-to-lug span of 44 mm and a lug width of 20 mm. Throughout its production, dial variations included tritium lume (1989–1998), Luminova (1998–1999), and Super-LumiNova (1999–2001), making early ‘T<25' dials and later 'Swiss Made' examples particularly collectible. The 14270 modernized the Explorer while maintaining its core design DNA, and today it is viewed as a bridge between vintage charm and contemporary reliability.