36mm Oyster Perpetual w/ Black Explorer Dial ... is it real?

[hanklin]

Hi all,

I found this on Chrono24, and I've never seen anything like it. I know Rolex released the 3/6/9 dial on some radially brushed blue OP's, but I've never seen this black one. What is bizarre is that this would have been around at the same time as the 36mm Explorer I (14270) with almost the same dial, except that explorer had painted quarter numerals and this OP below looks filled.

Thoughts?

[hanklin]

Chrono 24 post: https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/oyste...id21971853.htm

[Mendota]

I don't know. I own the blue one. Is this a full kit and do they say what the approximate date range is? You'd have to deep dive on Google using the approximate date range to see if there's any way to access a list of dial configurations for that model at that time.

I believe they made it in salmon, blue, white, and silver but I don't know if they also offered it in black since the 36mm 114270 Explorer 1 was so similar.

[Parapraxis]

Originally Posted by Mendota

I don't know. I own the blue one. Is this a full kit and do they say what the approximate date range is? You'd have to deep dive on Google using the approximate date range to see if there's any way to access a list of dial configurations for that model at that time.

I believe they made it in salmon, blue, white, and silver but I don't know if they also offered it in black since the 36mm 114270 Explorer 1 was so similar.

Any pics of the salmon? That must be gorgeous

[Mendota]

If you Google it or go to Chrono24 there are a lot of them.

[hanklin]

Originally Posted by Mendota

If you Google it or go to Chrono24 there are a lot of them.

The reason why I asked was my Google searching was not turning up any others ... I guess I didn't dig deep enough.

[telesquire]

Japan only limited edition circa 2007-8.

[hanklin]

Originally Posted by telesquire

Japan only limited edition circa 2007-8.

Interesting! This is a super cool version of this watch then. Includes the lume in the quarters, and has baton hands.

[kidneymd]

I have seen pics of a version with black dial and pink indices. This one appears to have lume 3,6,9 like the blue OP which I also have. The 114270 didn’t have lume in the numerals I believe.


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[Mendota]

Originally Posted by kidneymd

The 114270 didn’t have lume in the numerals I believe.

Correct. That's one of the reasons why I prefer my blue OP36 with the 3-6-9 dial to the old Exp 1. I also prefer the modern bracelet and clasp, plus the blue dial is nicer to look at in my opinion. I have seen some members actually swap out the OP36 hands with a set of Explorer hands, too. This looks fantastic and it literally gives you the best of both worlds. It turns it into a true blue Explorer!

[hanklin]

here's one with a fluted bezel: link

[Mags01]

Originally Posted by hanklin

here's one with a fluted bezel: link

It's the ref. 116034, they came with a fluted bezel and silver or black dial.