Why did Rolex introduce Arabic 3,6,9 numerals to the Explorer 1?

[AlexMalmo]

Hej everyone.

As you can all probably appreciate, since I've owned my Explorer 1 (2005) for all of 3 days now I've become utterly obsessed with it and wanted to know more.

Whilst reading up on the history of it with the Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay originals I just wondered if anyone knows why the 3, 6, 9 numerals were introduced?
Their original was beautiful looking without them and I just wondered if anyone knew why the change occurred?

Obviously I'm not complaining as I think it's still an amazing watch (I mean, I bought one!) but I'm just interested to know what the reasoning might have been for the change..?

Any information as to why would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance, I know there's at least one (and more than likely several!) of you out there that know the answer..




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[Old Expat Beast]

The Explorer has always had 3/6/9 on the dial, since the 1950s. Or are you referring to the change to white gold numerals? (The Rolex taken on first the Everest ascent was a regular Oyster Perpetual, not an Explorer).

[JBoone]

Legibility wold be my guess. A simple 3,6,9 may be enough difference to read with less effort.

Panari seems to embrace this asthetic as well.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The Explorer has always had 3/6/9 on the dial, since the 1950s. Or are you referring to the change to white gold numerals? (The Rolex taken on first the Everest ascent was a regular Oyster Perpetual, not an Explorer).

I believe that some call that OP 6098 the Explorer "prototype," thus the confusion.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I believe that some call that OP 6098 the Explorer "prototype," thus the confusion.

Yeah, that's the OP the expedition took with them.

[AlexMalmo]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The Explorer has always had 3/6/9 on the dial, since the 1950s. Or are you referring to the change to white gold numerals? (The Rolex taken on first the Everest ascent was a regular Oyster Perpetual, not an Explorer).

That seems to be the source of my confusion, that it was an OP that was taken not an Explorer.
I just wonder then why it wasn't that OP that gained the name Explorer instead of the one we have with the 3,6,9 numerals.

I guess I'm asking if it was a dedication to that expedition, then why change the face?

Ps, thanks for the reply.


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by AlexMalmo

. . .I guess I'm asking if it was a dedication to that expedition, then why change the face?

. .

Not sure that I understand your reasoning.. The Explorer was a new watch design to mark an event/activity and not an homage to the watch worn.

A newly badged watch with it's own identity is a classic Rolex marketing approach.

[AlexMalmo]

Originally Posted by Tools

Not sure that I understand your reasoning.. The Explorer was a new watch design to mark an event/activity and not an homage to the watch worn.



A newly badged watch with it's own identity is a classic Rolex marketing approach.

Yeah I now see my mistake, and I think that's where my misunderstanding has happened, I thought it was an homage to that watch, not a new watch to mark the event.
Thanks for the info.



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