W&W 2023 Rolex Explorer 40

The Explorer range is expanded with the arrival of a new 40 mm model. Offering enhanced legibility, this timepiece carries all the qualities that have made the Explorer – one of the brand’s first Professional watches – a reference throughout the decades. Simple, robust and corrosion resistant, the new Explorer 40 is crafted from Oystersteel, a Rolex proprietary alloy.

The Explorer 40, like the Explorer 36, is faithful to the original model launched in 1953 after the first successful summitting of Mount Everest. Its black lacquer dial carries the numerals 3, 6 and 9, together with the Professional hands, all firmly associated with the identity of this timepiece that embodies the spirit of adventure and perseverance.

Made of Oystersteel and fitted on an Oyster bracelet, the Explorer 40 offers excellent legibility in all circumstances, thanks to its Chromalight display that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions and, in daylight, is noticeable for its particularly bright white hue.

The Explorer 40 is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, which provides essential functions – hours, minutes and seconds. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

An exploration tool

Presented in 1953, the Explorer is emblematic of the close ties between Rolex and exploration. As early as the 1930s, the brand began to equip numerous Himalayan expeditions with Oyster watches. Among these was the group that included Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first climbers to reach the Top of the World, at 8,848 metres (29,028 feet). This pioneering move illustrated the company’s ambition to use the wider world as a laboratory, testing its watches in real conditions in order to continually improve them. The feedback that Rolex received from the members of these different expeditions therefore had a direct influence on the evolution of its watches, making them more precise and robust.

The Oyster case, symbol of waterproofness

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case of the Explorer 40 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The middle case of this new model is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel. Its case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses.

Perpetual Calibre 3230

The Explorer 40 is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2020. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3230 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is now fitted with an optimized ball bearing.

Calibre 3230 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3230 extends to approximately 70 hours.

Oyster bracelet and Oysterlock Safety Clasp

The Explorer 40 is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.

The Oyster bracelet of this new model features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm.

Technical specifications

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40

Reference: 224270

Case

• Material: Oystersteel
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Thickness: 11.9 mm
• Glass: Sapphire crystal
• Water-resistant to 100 m

Dial and hands

• Black
• Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Movement

• Calibre 3230, Manufacture Rolex
• Automatic movement
• Frequency: 28'800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve: 70 hours

Functions/Indications

• Centre hour, minute and seconds hands.
• Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Strap and buckle

• Oystersteel bracelet
• Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

MSRP: EUR 7’650

For more information, please visit rolex.com