Technical details
| Date indication |
Y |
| Movement model |
3187 |
| Mechanism type |
Mechanical (auto wind) |
| Watch dial type |
Analog dial |
| Waterproof up to |
100 m |
| Chronometer |
Y |
| Movement manufacturer |
Rolex |
| Number of watch hands |
3 |
Design
| Watch dial color |
Black |
| Type |
Wristwatch |
| Watch marker style |
Non numeral |
| Form factor |
Round |
| Watch glass type |
Sapphire |
| Band material |
Stainless steel |
| Suggested gender |
Male |
| Scratch-resistant glass |
Y |
42 mm, 904L steel, 3187 Calibre
Global adventurers
The Rolex Explorer II, first released in 1971, is the natural heir to the original Rolex Explorer – yet with a character all of its own. A robust, highly refined tool, the Explorer II swiftly became the watch of choice of speleologists, volcanologists and polar and jungle explorers, thanks to its specially designed features.
904L Stainless Steel
Rolex uses 904L stainless steel for its steel watch cases. 904L is mainly used in the high technology, aerospace and chemical industries, where maximum resistance to corrosion is essential. A superalloy, 904L is extremely resistant and highly polishable. It maintains its beauty even in the harshest environments.
Black Dial
On the black-dial version of the Explorer II, the black base of the hands blend with the dial to create a “phantom” effect in which they seem to float over the dial – a nod to the 1971 model.
The Oyster bracelet
The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex. This ingenious system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.
3187 Movement
The Explorer II is equipped with calibre 3187, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. In addition to the conventional hour, minute and seconds hands, it features a 24-hour hand to display a second time zone. The 3187 is fitted with a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers, offering greater resistance to shocks and to extreme conditions. Like all Rolex Perpetual movements, the 3187 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. Its architecture, in common with all Oyster watch movements, makes it singularly reliable.
24-hour bezel
The Explorer II is equipped with an additional 24-hour display; a dedicated hand circles the dial in 24 hours rather than the usual 12, pointing to a fixed bezel with 24 hour graduations. This function enables the wearer to distinguish the hours of the day from the hours of the night, an essential feature for those who venture into environments where darkness reigns supreme – such as in the depths of caves, or where the sun never sets – like the polar regions in summer.
