Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer Unveiled In 40mm

At Watches And Wonders 2023, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40 is a new addition to Rolex's Explorer collection, and it has a diameter of 40 millimetres.

Like its predecessor, the Explorer 36, the Explorer 40 is based on the same design as the original model introduced in 1953, shortly after the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. The numbers 3, 6, and 9, along with the Professional hands, are instantly recognisable on the black lacquer dial of this timepiece, which represents the adventurous and unyielding nature of its wearer. The Explorer 40, crafted from Oystersteel and mounted on an Oyster bracelet, features a Chromalight display that emits a long-lasting blue glow in the dark and, in daylight, stands out for its particularly bright white hue. The Explorer 40 features the cutting-edge calibre 3230 movement, which allows for the basic timekeeping functions of hours, minutes, and seconds.

The Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40, like all Rolex watches, has been certified as a Superlative Chronometer, indicating that it performs exceptionally well while worn.

A means of discovery

Rolex has deep roots in the exploration industry, and the Explorer, introduced in 1953, is a prime example of this. In the 1930s, the company began sending Oyster watches on many different Himalayan expeditions. They included Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest, at an altitude of 8,848 metres (29,028 feet). This ground-breaking action demonstrated the company's drive to treat the world outside as a testing ground, subjecting its timepieces to real-world conditions so that they can undergo constant improvement. Rolex improved the precision and durability of its watches thanks in large part to the comments and suggestions of the people who participated in these various expeditions.

The Explorer 40 is a work of art in durability and dependability thanks to its 40 mm Oyster case that is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). This new model's middle case is machined from a single piece of Oystersteel. Its finely fluted case back is hermetically sealed so that only Rolex watchmakers can access the mechanism. The Twinlock winding crown is doubly watertight, with a screw-down design that seals it tightly against the case. The sapphire crystal is coated with an anti-reflective material, making it nearly scratch-proof. The Oyster case is watertight, providing maximum security for the inside movement.

Calibre 3230, introduced in 2020 and featured in the Explorer 40, is a Rolex-made movement from start to finish. This self-winding mechanical movement is a technological masterpiece, offering unmatched accuracy, power reserve, ease of use, and dependability.

The Chronergy escapement, exclusive to the Calibre 3230, combines extreme efficiency with robustness. This escapement, constructed of nickel-phosphorus, can withstand high magnetic fields without being affected. Rolex uses a blue Parachrom hairspring, a paramagnetic alloy, in their movements. The hairspring provides exceptional stability across a wide range of temperatures and excellent shock resistance. The Rolex overcoil guarantees consistent operation from any angle. In order to improve the movement's resistance to shock, Rolex mounted the oscillator on their patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers. The ball bearing that supports the swinging weight has been improved. The self-winding mechanism in the Calibre 3230 is powered by a Perpetual rotor. The superior efficiency of the escapement and the barrel design of the calibre 3230 allow for a power reserve of about 70 hours.

An Oyster bracelet is included with the Explorer 40. Designed at the tail end of the 1930s, the Oyster Perpetual three-link bracelet is the most popular and widely worn style in the collection.

The new model's Oyster bracelet is equipped with a folding safety clasp called an Oysterlock, making it impossible to accidentally open the bracelet. The bracelet's length can be adjusted by the user with the help of the 5 mm Easylink comfort extension link that was designed by the company.