Explorer

The Rolex Explorer is built around a remarkably spare dial: a triangle at twelve, numerals at three, six and nine, and enough contrast to read the hour at a glance. Across generations, that familiar layout has moved between acrylic and sapphire crystals, painted and applied markers, and cases from 36 to 40mm; the Explorer II takes the tool-watch idea in a different direction.

The 36mm 1016 has an acrylic crystal and painted luminous markers; the 14270 brought sapphire and white-gold surrounds to the same basic proportions. The 114270 kept that silhouette with an updated movement. With the 214270, the case grew to 39mm; its 2016 revision added luminous numerals and a longer minute hand. The modern 124270 returns to 36mm, while the 224270 offers 40mm.

The Explorer II is distinguished by a date, fixed 24-hour bezel and extra hand. On the original 1655, that hand served as a day/night indicator; later generations allow independent local-hour adjustment. The 40mm 16570 comes with black or white dials, while the 42mm 216570 and 226570 pair those choices with a broad orange 24-hour hand.