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Collector Guide

The Rolex Explorer II 214270: A Timepiece for Adventurers

The Rolex Explorer II 214270: A Timepiece for Adventurers

Rolex, the name itself carries a legacy of luxury, precision, and adventure. Among their extensive collection of iconic watches, the Rolex Explorer II 214270 holds a special place. This timepiece is more than just a watch; it's a symbol of exploration and a companion for those who seek to conquer the world's most challenging terrains. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the Rolex Explorer II 214270, its history, design, and why it remains a favorite among adventurers and watch enthusiasts.

Before diving into the details of the Rolex Explorer II 214270, it's essential to understand the brand's storied history. Rolex was founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905 and has consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking, setting the industry standard for precision, innovation, and craftsmanship. The Explorer series, born out of Rolex's association with exploration and mountaineering, epitomizes this spirit of adventure.

The Rolex Explorer II 214270 was introduced in 2011 as an update to its predecessor, the 16570. While the core essence of the Explorer remained unchanged, the 214270 brought significant improvements in terms of materials, movement, and overall design.

Key Features of the Rolex Explorer II 214270:

  1. 42mm Case: The 214270 features a stainless steel case measuring 42mm in diameter, providing a substantial presence on the wrist. This size makes it suitable for a wide range of wearers.

  2. Maxi Dial: The watch boasts the distinctive "Maxi Dial" design with larger hour markers and hands, filled with Rolex's proprietary Chromalight luminous material. This ensures excellent legibility in low-light conditions.

  3. GMT Function: One of the defining features of the Explorer II is its GMT function, indicated by an additional 24-hour hand. This feature allows wearers to track a second time zone, making it ideal for globetrotters and adventurers.

  4. Robust Movement: The Rolex Explorer II 214270 is powered by the caliber 3132, a self-winding movement developed and manufactured entirely in-house by Rolex. Known for its reliability and precision, this movement boasts a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.

  5. Paraflex Shock Absorbers: Rolex's proprietary Paraflex shock absorbers enhance the watch's durability, making it resilient in rugged environments.

  6. Stainless Steel Bracelet: The watch comes with Rolex's iconic Oyster bracelet, featuring the Easylink extension system for on-the-fly adjustments, ensuring a comfortable fit during various activities.

The Rolex Explorer II 214270 has gained a reputation as a tool watch designed for adventurers, cave explorers, and polar researchers. It has accompanied professionals in some of the world's harshest environments, from the summit of Mount Everest to the depths of underwater caves. Its reliability, precision, and durability have made it a trusted companion for those who need a watch that can withstand the most challenging conditions.

The Rolex Explorer II 214270 is a testament to Rolex's commitment to excellence and its enduring spirit of adventure. It's more than just a watch; it's a symbol of exploration and a reminder that there are no limits to human curiosity and perseverance. Whether you're embarking on a daring expedition or simply appreciate the craftsmanship of a well-made timepiece, the Rolex Explorer II 214270 is a watch that exemplifies the enduring allure of Rolex and the spirit of exploration. It's a timepiece that will not only stand the test of time but also be a reliable companion on your own life's adventures.

Tudor Hydronaut 89190 Tiger

Tudor Hydronaut 89190 Tiger

SPECIFICATIONS

WATCH DETAILS

Year:2010
 This design was the successor to the Tudor Submariner, but didn’t really catch on like the Submariner did.
Manufactured In:Switzerland
Style:Casual, Sport
Gender:Men's

CASE & DIAL

Case Size:40mm
Dimensions: 40.5mm (width) x 46.5mm (lug to lug ) x 10.8mm (height)
Case Material:Stainless Steel
Dial Color:Silver
Hours Markers:Index
Caseback:Solid
Case Shape:Round
Water Resistance:200m

FUNCTION

Movement:Mechanical(Automatic)
Movement: ETA2824-2
Complications:Date

STRAP/BRACELET

Strap/Bracelet Material:Stainless Steel
Band Color:Silver
Buckle Type:Folding buckle
Bracelet Length:7.25

Tudor Small Blocks

Tudor Small Blocks

The Tudor 79260, also known as the "Tudor Small Blocks," is a vintage chronograph watch that was first introduced in the 1990s. It is a highly sought-after watch by collectors and enthusiasts alike, and for good reason.

One of the most striking features of the Tudor 79260 is its large case size, measuring 40mm in diameter. This size was considered quite large for a watch during its time, and even today, it still has a strong presence on the wrist. The case is made of stainless steel and has a brushed finish, giving it a rugged and sporty look.

Another notable feature of the Tudor 79260 is its chronograph function. The watch has a three-register chronograph layout, with a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and a small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock. The chronograph is operated by two pushers on the side of the case, and the movement is a modified Valjoux 7750.

The dial of the Tudor 79260 is also quite striking, with a black base and white subdials. The hour markers are applied and have a luminescent coating, as do the hour and minute hands. The seconds hand for the chronograph is red, which adds a nice pop of color to the dial.

One of the things that sets the Tudor 79260 apart from other vintage chronographs is its bezel. The watch has a fixed, stainless steel bezel with a tachymeter scale. This scale is used to measure speed over a known distance and is a common feature on racing-inspired watches.

Overall, the Tudor 79260 is a watch that has a lot of character and presence. It is a vintage chronograph that has stood the test of time and remains popular among collectors today. If you're in the market for a classic sports watch with a chronograph function, the Tudor 79260 is definitely worth considering.

The smart man Daytona

The smart man Daytona

In 1995 Tudor launched the Prince chronograph. Up until this point the cases of the Tudor chronos had been quite deep and flat sided - a true ‘presence’ on the wrist. Before the fourth series had been the Big Block watches, but the new watches witnessed a complete redesign of the case. Gone were the flat sides and sharp edges and instead a softer case was utilised that was very similar to its stable mate the Rolex Daytona.

 

Courtesy of Phillips

This new sleek aesthetic was further enhanced by the introduction of a sapphire crystal, which accentuated the lower profile of the watch on the wrist. The previous plastic bezels were problematic in that they were delicate and could crack quite easily.

In the new series of watches the 79260 had an aluminium tachymeter insert in the bezel. There were three watches available, the reference number referring to the bezel type. They were: 79260 with a black aluminium fixed tachymeter bezel; 79270 with a black aluminium rotating 12-hour bezel and the 79280 with polished steel fixed tachymeter bezel.

As per their predecessors, the Big Blocks, the new 79280 series watches were initially available on steel Oyster bracelets,but Tudor’s interpretation of the Jubilee bracelet eventually became the default bracelet as the Oyster faded out.

It wasn’t just the Oyster bracelet that was phased out – the word Oyster disappeared from the dial and was replaced with “PRINCE”.

During the first couple of transitional years, the use of Rolex branded winding crowns and casebacks were also phased out in favour of Tudor versions.

The Prince Dates were available with dials in a kaleidoscope of colours, many of which came with matching leather straps – I think of them as Tudor Beaches, much like the limited Rolex Daytona beach edition from 2000!

The dial options were supplemented with versions that had painted arabic hour markers instead of the applied baton markers. Tudor’s tie-in with brand ambassador Tiger Woods led to the golfer’s name being used on some dials, which are known by collectors as Tudor Tigers.

Sunday post: Why The Tudor Oyster Date Is One Of The Cutest Rolex Watches Of All Time

Sunday post: Why The Tudor Oyster Date Is One Of The Cutest Rolex Watches Of All Time

Blending aesthetics and functionality. The Rolex Day-Date President model is a watch that defines prestige, excellence, and timelessness. However as it has been in production for a long period of time, many varieties of precious metals and dials were made for this model. 

Tudor Oyster Prince has the Rolex stamp of approval, without the price tag. Tudor has been on the market almost as long as Rolex. The brand lauched in 1926 when the name was registered as a trademark by Hans Wilsdorf. He wanted to make a sister company for watch enthusiasts at  more affordable, yet just as reliable, version of the Rolex.

The Trademark- Tudor comes from the English Royal Family, the Tudors. The older version of the logo is the Tudor Rose from the family heritage.The two iconic Swiss watch brands have an intertwined history. Tudor has happily played second-fiddle to the flagship Rolex brand. 

As Rolex watches continue to get more expensive and the brand moves further upmarket towards an increasingly luxury-oriented segment of the industry, it has ultimately been Tudor that has taken over Rolex’s role. As the manufacturer of high-end, Tudor watches are still within reach for the average consumer.

Tudor has firmly asserted itself as one of the world’s premier manufacturers in the affordable luxury segment. Tudor introduced its own in-house movements and tapping into its rich history for design inspiration.

Our Tudor 94613 has the Rolex-logo crown, the Oyster case with “ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVA” engraved on the caseback.

Tudor Company Facts:

– Founded in 1926 

– Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland

– Owned by Rolex

– Originally created as the more affordable alternative to Rolex

– Supplied watches to US Navy and French Marine Nationale

– Brand re-launched in 2009

– Started producing in-house movements in 2016

The Tudor Oyster Date 94613 is no doubt the cutest Rolex watches of all time. The watch can be purchased from our website.