Which Rolex has the 'best' History?

[Watch Explorer]

Which Rolex model has the best history in your opinion?

There are historic facts regarding models and many are groundbreaking, but It can also be a little subjective for you personally, say if you value James Bond or Jacque Cousteau connection more than James Cameron, Winston Churchill, Edmund Hilary, Ian Fleming, Mercedes Gleitze, science etc..

[Juclaq]

It has to be Sir Edmund Hillary climbing Mt Everst with Explorer

[Watch Explorer]

Didn't Edmund Hillary wear an Oyster Perpetual and a Smiths watch and the Explorer was created as a result of his achievement?

[Explorer1nyc]

Sir Ed didn't wear an Explorer, there was no Rolex Explorer when he climbed Everest - it was an Oyster Perpetual.

The whole "Explorer was used to climb Everest thing" - one big marketing lie.

I wear an Explorer, great watch. Nothing to do w/ that Everest climb.

Now the submariner - that's got history...

[AdamG]

Originally Posted by Watch Explorer

Didn't Edmund Hillary wear an Oyster Perpetual and a Smiths watch and the Explorer was created as a result of his achievement?

Yes, Smiths

[Chewbacca]

Turn-o-Graph aka Thunderbird

Without it, no submariner, no gmt or any rotating bezel models, no 2t tool watch and it was also a Datejust.

[Portland]

Has to be the Rolex diver line. Sub, SeaDweller, and DeepSea.

[droptopman]

Submariner.

[Watch Explorer]

What about the humble Oyster perpetual? First waterproof wristwatch.

[Explorer1nyc]

Originally Posted by Watch Explorer

What about the humble Oyster perpetual? First waterproof wristwatch.

i would agree, but the sub has more "history" - used in military, the first Bond watch (on film), the real steve mcqueen watch.

the OP has been around longer, no argument there.

[Watch Explorer]

Good point Explorer1nyc.

What would you say the top 3 ranking models in terms of historical significance would be?

[Timeguy123]

Datejust has more history than the sub or Daytona.

[Explorer1nyc]

Originally Posted by Timeguy123

Datejust has more history than the sub or Daytona.

That's fine, but tell us why it has more history, i.e. "the sub was used in the military, the first Bond watch (on film,) etc

The Datejust has been around, sure - but what's the HISTORY behind it that makes it more Historic?

Iconic, yes - the DJ & the Sub are tied neck & neck in that dept

[Explorer1nyc]

Originally Posted by Watch Explorer

Good point Explorer1nyc.

What would you say the top 3 ranking models in terms of historical significance would be?

Thanks

Top 3 HISTORICAL - not ICONIC (that's a diff list) -

Sub
GMT
Explorer

[Texasjim]

Wow, good question. Truthfully I would have to ponder the history of a particular reference. I would say though, I am sure there are a ton of stories that can be told from those people who were wearing a Rolex when they did something historical. Fun topic!

[superstarmar]

Sub!!! Divers models...

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Watch Explorer

Didn't Edmund Hillary wear an Oyster Perpetual and a Smiths watch and the Explorer was created as a result of his achievement?

This is true, but Hillary in his own words stated that he carried the Smiths to the summit.

The ad is online.

The Explorer was introduced to commemorate the event.

As for the best history, I think that each has its own history of achievement and which is best is entirely subjective.

http://bezelandbarrel.com/the-truth-...nd-mt-everest/

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Turn-o-Graph aka Thunderbird

Without it, no submariner, no gmt or any rotating bezel models, no 2t tool watch and it was also a Datejust.

You beat me to it, but yeah - that's some history for ya! Makes wonder even more why that watch, in two iterations, really didn't catch on.

I'm on the lookout for a 2nd gen. Blue dial with S-jubilee.

Mark

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[Watch Explorer]

What about tenzing norgay?

What makes the Explorer have so much historical significance if it wasn't the watch worn on Everest (Credit to the Oyster Perpetual and Smiths here)? Are there other significant achievements of the Explorer that it has to it's credit?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Turn-o-Graph aka Thunderbird

Without it, no submariner, no gmt or any rotating bezel models, no 2t tool watch and it was also a Datejust.

https://www.timepiecechronicle.com/f...x-turn-o-graph

[Explorer1nyc]

Originally Posted by Watch Explorer

What about tenzing norgay?

What makes the Explorer have so much historical significance if it wasn't the watch worn on Everest (Credit to the Oyster Perpetual and Smiths here)? Are there other significant achievements of the Explorer that it has to it's credit?

He was the sherpa. The history/facts of who wore what or which watch was carried or worn - this is all stuff we can't confirm.

A Smith watch & a Rolex OP were w/ them - that's what we know. what was on the wrists of those men at the summit - up for dispute.

As far as why the Explorer has "history" - it was built for expeditions such as the Everest climb. it was built to withstand extreme temperatures and built to take hard knocks.

The original Explorers - I forget original ref, but let's include the 1016 here - were actually used by Explorers. The same way the sub is known as the first Bond watch (on film), the Explorer is known as the watch Ian Flemming wore and many say he had Bond wear the same watch in the books, which, i can say, having read the books, it's never addressed as an Explorer, but the description is close enough.

It's essentially considered the first Bond watch (in books).

The Explorer was designed for tough situations - you could say history was built into it. Many famous expeditions and explorers wore an Explorer (the web can back this up).

The OP's weren't really used in these expeditions, nor were the Datejusts.

The gmt was a candidate to go to the moon, but lost out to the Speedmaster, prob mostly due to the crystal which, if it shattered in zero gravity, well, floating shards of glass is no good.

However, the gmt did eventually make it to the moon, which in my opinion gives the gmt serious history props.

[77T]

It’s a Gordian Knot - literally unable to unravel as there is zero chance one model’s history is the “best” versus all other models.




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[Watch Explorer]

Originally Posted by Explorer1nyc

He was the sherpa. The history/facts of who wore what or which watch was carried or worn - this is all stuff we can't confirm.

A Smith watch & a Rolex OP were w/ them - that's what we know. what was on the wrists of those men at the summit - up for dispute.

As far as why the Explorer has "history" - it was built for expeditions such as the Everest climb. it was built to withstand extreme temperatures and built to take hard knocks.

The original Explorers - I forget original ref, but let's include the 1016 here - were actually used by Explorers. The same way the sub is known as the first Bond watch (on film), the Explorer is known as the watch Ian Flemming wore and many say he had Bond wear the same watch in the books, which, i can say, having read the books, it's never addressed as an Explorer, but the description is close enough.

It's essentially considered the first Bond watch (in books).

The Explorer was designed for tough situations - you could say history was built into it. Many famous expeditions and explorers wore an Explorer (the web can back this up).

The OP's weren't really used in these expeditions, nor were the Datejusts.

The gmt was a candidate to go to the moon, but lost out to the Speedmaster, prob mostly due to the crystal which, if it shattered in zero gravity, well, floating shards of glass is no good.

However, the gmt did eventually make it to the moon, which in my opinion gives the gmt serious history props.

Good post

Does an OP have still have similar potential to be an 'Explorers' watch (extreme temperatures etc.) given that a 36mm OP has the same '3130' movement as a 114270? Both have Oyster cases and OP has fully lumed dial like new Explorers etc.

[Explorer1nyc]

Originally Posted by Watch Explorer

Good post

Does an OP have still have similar potential to be an 'Explorers' watch (extreme temperatures etc.) given that a 36mm OP has the same '3130' movement as a 114270? Both have Oyster cases and OP has fully lumed dial like new Explorers etc.

A modern OP?

I would say yes, b/c a modern Rolex is built like a tank and can take whatever you can give it.

I can't say if the OP's have the shock absorber (paraflex) that the 214270 has, that's out of my league - but if you were to take a modern 36mm OP to Antarctica I'd bet it would hold up just fine.

[Watch Explorer]

Originally Posted by 77T

It’s a Gordian Knot - literally unable to unravel as there is zero chance one model’s history is the “best” versus all other models.


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Yes. Personal opinions are encouraged

[MHB]

It's all about the history that YOU make with the watch.

All the other stuff is marketing white noise.

[Watch Explorer]

Originally Posted by MHB

It's all about the history that YOU make with the watch.

All the other stuff is marketing white noise.

I agree that is the most important. But I doubt Omega would sell a fraction of the amount of Speedy Pro's if it wasn't on the moon and if that wasn't a factor in people choosing that watch.

[Adam K.]

Originally Posted by Explorer1nyc

A modern OP?

I would say yes, b/c a modern Rolex is built like a tank and can take whatever you can give it.

I can't say if the OP's have the shock absorber (paraflex) that the 214270 has, that's out of my league - but if you were to take a modern 36mm OP to Antarctica I'd bet it would hold up just fine.

It would hold up just as well. The 39mm Oyster Perpetual (ref. 114300) has the exact same 3132 caliber movement as the current Explorer model—same Paraflex shock absorbers and the rest. Same case, Twinlock crown, same water resistance. History was written with the old 4 and 5 digit models anyway, but Rolexes remain as tough as ever—-and the engineering and quality of construction has only improved with time. ��

[horseShu]

Originally Posted by Explorer1nyc

The gmt was a candidate to go to the moon, but lost out to the Speedmaster, prob mostly due to the crystal which, if it shattered in zero gravity, well, floating shards of glass is no good.

The GMT is not a chronograph, so it was not even part of NASA's options. However, the astronauts brought their GMTs as their personal watch. So you can say that the GMT Master "unofficially" went to space.

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[Spence4]

I like the history of the Daytona via the Newman/Woodward story. She gave it to him and he wore it everyday for the rest of his life. My wife got me one for our wedding and the only time I haven’t worn it is when it has been in for service. So I have a personal affinity for that history.