The Rolex Explorer 124270 – Is It The Perfect Watch?

It’s somewhat ironic that though Rolex has a plethora of sports models in its current catalogue, one of its most sought-after and revered models is the humble Explorer. I say ironic because, whilst the Explorer is an iconic watch, it’s probably Rolex’s most understated and subdued sports watch. The Rolex Explorer has been a mainstay of the brand’s line-up since 1953, when it was introduced following the successful expedition to the peak of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Both men were given watches by Rolex to wear to the summit, and it’s in honour of their achievement that the Explorer was named. Since then it’s become a staple of the Rolex collection, undergoing several updates over the decades. Of course, the elephant in the room is that Rolex models are exceptionally hard to come by these days. However, that’s a story in itself, so I’m going to set that aside for another time and focus on just the watch itself. Despite its reputation, at first glance...