{"product_id":"rolex-explorer-i-swiss-only-as03510","title":"Rolex Explorer I 'Swiss Only'","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2011, Rolex did something a bit... controversial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey fundamentally changed the design of the Oyster Perpetual Explorer I - the watch that defined general badassery for the brand for some five decades prior.  In its newest version of the Explorer, Rolex has departed from the classic 36mm case design, deciding instead that bigger was better, and housed their in-house 3132 movement in 39mm of steel.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe move intrigued some and confused others. We understood it when they switched from matte dials to glossy ones.  We could find some elegance in the presence of white-gold hour marker surrounds.  But altering the case dimensions was tantamount to heresy in our books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut to our chagrin (and the chagrin of many vintage Rolex enthusiasts) the line was forever altered - and many folks continue to buy and love the Explorer 1's bigger brother to this day. However, when we see earlier executions that herald the original design, such as this lovely Reference 14270, we jump at the chance to find them a good home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut of course we wouldn't settle for just \u003cem\u003eany\u003c\/em\u003e 14270.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular example is considered a transitional model, and features the desirable 'Swiss Only' dial produced for under two years. Indicating a switch away from Tritium to Luminova luminous material, the 'Swiss Only' moniker has proven incredibly popular to a number of desirable sports Rolexes in the past few years, and has resulted in significant premiums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 14270, however, has only begun to stir in its pricing. Representing the first model to feature Rolexes \"new\" design language, its avant-garde dial design was polarizing at first, as 1016-obsessed purists poo-pooed their shiny dials and fancy markers. But today, special 14270s, such as this Swiss Only example, are beginning to be snatched up by forward looking collectors who appreciate not only their size and story, but the chance to get in on the ground level for \u003cem\u003ethe next big thing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its feet firmly rooted in the classic design of the early Explorers - a simple black dial with 3, 6, 9 Arabic numerals -- albeit a more avant-garde approach to the look --and 36mm Oyster case, the 14270 is every bit as much an Explorer as the original models that pulled their own weight up Everest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe day was May 29, 1953, and Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood on top of the world. Rolex had indeed come with them to the summit of Mount Everest and since then Rolex has long been known as the watch of exploration. \u003c\/span\u003eThe triumph of the 1953 expedition and spirit of adventure and exploration that the Explorer represents can certainly be felt when this watch is strapped to your wrist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese were watches designed to be tough as nails and capable of operating effectively in the harshest conditions known to man. \u003c\/span\u003eWhether it was diving to the lowest point or climbing to the highest, you've got to hand it to Rolex - they know how to build one hell of a sports watch! It really doesn't get more badass than that.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31277056393303,"sku":null,"price":5900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/ROLEX_EXPLORER_I_SWISS_ONLY__AS03510_6.jpg?v=1574866346","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/rolex-explorer-i-swiss-only-as03510","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}