Rolex Explorer I 'Swiss Only', 1999

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Why We Love It When it comes to design language, the Reference14270 may be the most important Rolex of the contemporary era. Launched in 1990, the 14270 was the follow-up successor to the iconic 1016, and featured a truly avant-garde design language. Moving away from the matte dial 1016, the 14270 features a glossy dial with stylized applied Arabic quadrant indices and a sapphire crystal which gives the watch a thoroughly modern and luxurious visual appeal that was initially a very polarizing departure for the model. With the benefit of hindsight, we can know understand that the 14270 was essentially a test-run for a new design language that would many years later become standard for numerous timepieces across the collection. Early 14270s utilized “holey lug” 36mm Oyster cases and Tritium luminous material as well, giving early variants a Neo-Vintage appeal while later models are truly contemporary classics. While these were slow to be loved by collectors, they are now poised to become one of the most popular models for collectors world-over! This particular example is a 'Swiss Only' example dating to 1999 and comes complete with its inner and outer boxes and papers dated from January 2000. It is offered in near mint condition with an unpolished case - even its case back sticker remains intact - and flawless dial and bracelet. Perfect collector-grade condition in a model creeping up in value every day! The Explorer I Story Few watches have captured the imagination the way the Rolex Explorer has. At its core, the Explorer has always been an understated tool watch, it's spartan appearance belying its hearty robustness. It is perhaps this, more than any other feature, that urges ever onward the spirit of adventure and humankind's unwillingness to accept defeat. In this way, the Explorer - in all of its executions - has formed a kind of cult status among watch enthusiasts and collectors. The Explorer traces its heritage back to the first successful summit of Everest in 1953. While we know now that the watch on Sir Edmund Hillary’s wrist was a Rolex Oyster Precision. The Oyster Precision was the precursor to the Explorer, and it was the Precision that introduced the 3-6-9 Arabic dial that we associate with the Explorer today. It was after the successful summit that Rolex rechristened the model as the Explorer in honor of Hillary and Norgay’s historic accomplishment. Rolex went on to produce the Explorer continuously for nearly seven decades (and counting, since it’s still in production), and the triumph of the 1953 expedition and spirit of adventure and exploration carries on with each new model. It is a memento of our ability to conquer the world through hard work, grit and determination - and of course our ability to do so with timeless style and panache.