The Rolex Explorer was first introduced in 1953, shortly after the first successful summit of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometers used by the expedition were the forerunners of the Explorer, albeit without the name. In 1989, the reference 1016 was discontinued after 26 years of production. To replace it, the reference 14270 brought with it modern upgrades, such as acrylic crystal to sapphire crystal and a newer movement, the automatic Cal. 3000. During the 90s, Rolex switched from tritium to Luminova and from 2001 to Super-LumiNova. Later in 2001, they introduced the reference 114270, which had the updated automatic cal. 3130 and a minor thickness increase from 11.5mm to 12.0mm. Here we have a 2005 Rolex Explorer I 36mm on SEL Bracelet 114270 featuring a 36mm stainless steel Oyster case that curves over your wrist with tapered lugs, a lug-to-lug length of 43.5mm, giving the watch an excellent wrist presence. This is the last version to have a 36mm case due to Rolex introducing the reference 214270 at Baselworld, increasing its size to 39mm in 2010. Until recently, Rolex has reintroduced the iconic 36mm size. Its polished and brushed surfaces transition perfectly towards tapering lugs. On the right is a large screw-down crown; its polished, smooth bezel holds a flat sapphire crystal. The glossy black dial has applied white gold-framed Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9, with white gold-framed baton indexes infilled with Super-LumiNova marking the hours. Elegant Mercedes’s hands are also Super-LumiNova filled. At 12 o’clock, we have the Rolex motif “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer” and at 6 o’clock “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”. On the bottom edge, SWISS MADE. On the reverse, a coin-edged screw-in case back, inside an automatic Rolex Cal. 3130, 31 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, COSC Chronometer Certified movement. The watch comes fitted on its 12-link 20mm Rolex stainless steel Oyster bracelet with a signed fliplock clasp and solid end links; polished sides and brushed links give the watch a quality finish. This watch is sold with its later Rolex box.