Rolex Explorer 8044

The Rolex Explorer ref. 8044 is an obscure and extremely early model that predates the formal establishment of the Explorer line, believed to have been produced around 1952. This reference was part of Rolex’s broader effort to test Oyster Perpetual models in extreme environments prior to the official branding of the Explorer. The 8044 featured a 36 mm stainless steel Oyster case with a smooth bezel and domed acrylic crystal, fitted with the Rolex Caliber A296 automatic movement. The case thickness was approximately 13 mm, the lug-to-lug measurement was about 44 mm, and the lug width was 20 mm. Dials were typically gilt with early 3-6-9 Explorer-style numerals, radium lume, and often did not carry the ‘Explorer’ label, though their design and field use directly contributed to the Explorer’s evolution. Only a handful of examples have surfaced, suggesting this reference was either a prototype or produced in extremely limited quantities. Given its pre-Explorer status, field-test provenance, and foundational role in Rolex’s development of tool watches, the 8044 is highly prized by historians and collectors alike.