[Rolex] A thorough comparison of the three generations of the Explorer I, old and new!

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good evening everyone.

Among Rolex's sports models, the Explorer I has fascinated many people since its release as the ultimate simple watch that prioritizes practicality. In 2021, many people were surprised by the release of the first "combination" model made of a material other than stainless steel.

This time, we will go back three generations of the Rolex Explorer I and compare them thoroughly (Ref. 114270 , Ref. 214270 , Ref. 124270)! If you want an Explorer I but are unsure which model to buy, or if you want to know the history of the Explorer I, this is a must-read, so be sure to read until the end.

Introducing the 3rd generation of "Explorer I"

First, let's introduce the three models we will be comparing: Ref.114270 , Ref.214270 , and Ref.124270 .

Two generations ago Ref.114270
Specifications
Case diameter 36mm Bezel stainless
Dial black Luminous Luminova
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 100m Drive system Automatic
Cal 3130 Power reserve Approximately 48 hours

The "Ref.114270" was manufactured between 2001 and 2010. There are no major changes in appearance from the previous model "Ref.14270", but the movement has been changed to "Cal.3130" , which improves maintenance and stability . The luminous material was changed from tritium to Luminova because it contains radioactive materials, and in 2007, a roulette engraving was applied to prevent counterfeiting.

Previous generation Ref.214270
Specifications
Case diameter 39mm Bezel stainless
Dial black Luminous Chromalight
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 100m Drive system Automatic
Cal 3132 Power reserve Approximately 48 hours

The "Ref. 214270" was released in 2010. The case diameter was enlarged to 39mm , and the index " 369 " at the time of its release was reminiscent of the "Blackout". It underwent a minor change around 2016 , and is now distinguished into "early" and "late" models.

[Differences between early and late periods]
① Enlargement of hands ② Change of index "369"
When it was first released, the case diameter was enlarged, but the size of the hands remained the same, so the hands looked small, but after a minor change (later model), the hands were enlarged and the balance with the case improved. Also, the index "369" is painted with luminous paint, improving visibility.

Current model Ref.124270
Specifications
Case diameter 36mm Bezel stainless
Dial black Luminous Chromalight
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 100m Drive system Automatic
Cal 3230 Power reserve Approximately 70 hours

The current model " Ref.124270 " was released in 2021. The case diameter has returned to 36mm , which has become a hot topic. The movement is equipped with " Cal.3230" , and all aspects have been updated, including accuracy, practicality, and ease of maintenance.

Spec comparison between "Ref.114270" and "Ref.214270"

Let's first compare " Ref.114270 " and " Ref.214270 ".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 114270
Reference 214270
36mm Case diameter 39mm
stainless Bezel stainless
black Dial black
Luminova Luminous Chromalight
SS material SS
SS bracelet SS
100m Waterproof 100m
Automatic Drive system Automatic
Cal.3130 Cal Cal.3132
Approximately 48 hours Power reserve Approximately 48 hours

❶【Case】

Case diameter

Reference 114270 36mm
Reference 214270 39mm
The biggest change is the larger size. The Explorer I was characterized by its small 36mm size, but the Ref. 214270 is the only 39mm model in the series. The Explorer I is a model that will fit well even on those with larger wrists, which is a good thing.

❷ [Dial]

Luminous

Reference 114270 Luminova
Reference 214270 Chromalight
While Luminova emits a "green" light, Chromalight emits a bright blue light called "peacock blue." Chromalight's glow time is said to be twice as long as general phosphorescent paints, lasting for more than eight hours.

" EXPLORER " display position

Reference 114270 12 o'clock position
Reference 214270 6 o'clock position
The word "EXPLORER" on the dial has been moved from the 12 o'clock position to the 6 o'clock position.

❸ [Bracelet/Buckle]

Bracelet (links inside)

Reference 114270 cavity
Reference 214270 Pure
The inside of the links has been changed from hollow to solid, improving robustness. The "Ref. 214270" features a new Oyster bracelet and buckle, improving grip and operability.

❹【Movement】

Movement

Reference 114270 Cal.3130
Reference 214270 Cal.3132
The power reserve is the same at about 48 hours, but the "Ref. 214270" uses the "Blue Parachrom hairspring" with excellent magnetic resistance, improving durability and accuracy. It also features the "Paraflex shock absorber", a patented earthquake-resistant technology, and is packed with Rolex's unique technology.
Spec comparison between "Ref.214270" and "Ref.124270"

Next, let's compare the " Ref.2 14270 " and " Ref.124270 ".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 214270
Reference 124270
39mm Case diameter 36mm
stainless Bezel stainless
black Dial black
Chromalight Luminous Chromalight
SS material SS
SS bracelet SS
100m Waterproof 100m
Automatic Drive system Automatic
Cal.3132 Cal Cal.3230
Approximately 48 hours Power reserve Approximately 70 hours

❶【Case】

Case diameter

Reference 214270 39mm
Reference 124270 36mm
The biggest change is the smaller size. The "Ref. 124270" is a return to the origins of the "Explorer I" series, downsizing it to 36mm from the "Ref. 214270," which was the first in the series to have a 39mm case diameter. With the change in the bracelet specifications, which will be described later, the watch has been given a more stylish look than previous models.

❷ [Dial]

Logo at 6 o'clock

Reference 214270 SWISS MADE
Reference 124270 Added a crown mark between SWISS and MADE
The dial looks almost the same, but a crown mark has been added between the "SWISS MADE" markings at the 6 o'clock position.

" EXPLORER " display position

Reference 214270 6 o'clock position
Reference 124270 12 o'clock position
The model name "EXPLORER" engraved on the dial has been moved from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, returning to the same position as the two-generation previous "Ref. 114270".

❸ [Bracelet/Buckle]

Lug Width

Reference 214270 20mm
Reference 124270 19mm
The lug width, which was 20mm, has been reduced to 19mm. The bracelet has also become slightly longer and thinner, making it easier for both men and women to wear. The link width has also become smaller, meaning that it is no longer compatible with links from previous models.

❹【Movement】

Movement

Reference 214270 Cal.3132
Reference 124270 Cal.3230
The Cal.3230 is a new generation movement that was born from Rolex's many years of development, and its overall specifications have been improved, including magnetic resistance, precision, and stability, but what is particularly noteworthy is that the power reserve has been increased to about 70 hours. Considering that the power reserve of the previous model was about 48 hours, this is a significant increase in specifications.
summary

What did you think?

This time, we compared three generations of the Rolex Explorer I, and I hope you can see how it has evolved over the years.

Due to their simple design, they may look the same at first glance, but each model has its own unique personality. The "Ref.114270" is based on the previous model and has been upgraded in specs, the "Ref.214270" has a larger case size for a more impactful look, and the "Ref.124270" is equipped with the latest specs and is more robust, easier to use, and stable . Each model of the "Explorer I" has its own unique appeal.

Please come and find your favorite model.

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