The Rolex Explorer was one of the first watches to triumphantly climb mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Ever since, the Rolex Explorer timepiece has been recognized as the official watch for mountain climbers and extreme sports seekers.
The Explorer timepiece was launched in 1953. It was designed to withstand ongoing endurance and durability against extreme temperatures, altitudes and rough wear. Through it all, the Explorer provides accurate time, extreme visibility and constant support for explorers of all types.
Rolex Explorer Steel Watch Band
The Rolex Explorer timepiece is accompanied by the stainless steel Oyster bracelet which was a stellar design back in 1953 and has seen steady improvements ever since.
The Oyster bracelet is a perfect combination of beautiful aesthetics and high end technology. Together it makes a comfortable to wear band with extreme strength and features that have set the bar for all watchband designers all over the world. Rolex left no stone unturned when it designed the Oyster Bracelet.
The Oyster Bracelet was patented in 1947 and was released a year later. It is a 3 piece interlinking bracelet which is largely based on the original bands produced by Gay Frères and used by Rolex in the 1930’s. Founded in 1835 by Jean-Pierre Gay and Gaspard Tissot, Gay Frères provided bracelets for many of the top watchmakers in the world including Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Zenith.
The Oyster Bracelet was a result of the collaboration between Rolex and Gay Frères in the 1930’s. Rolex finally acquired Gay Frères in 1998 in order to control the entire production of its timepieces from end to end, including the bracelets. However, the Gay Frères lineup still maintains some independence even to today.
The Oyster bracelet is a sportsman’s bracelet, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also fitted with the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex. Th Easylink system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.
The Oyster bracelet is made from the extremely durable 904L stainless steel which is not only able to withstand the pounding that explorers like mountain climbers might inflict on it, but it also keeps its beauty.
904L Steel is one of the superalloys that are most commonly used in high technology such as in the aerospace and chemical industries. Oystersteel is extremely resistant, offers an exceptional finish once polished and maintains its sheen even in the harshest environments.
This is particularly important to explorers that must brave extreme heat or subzero temperatures, and may bang the watch band against rocks or other elements as they climb to new heights or extreme depths in the earth.
The Oyster case of the Rolex Explorer is similarly adorned by the same 904L stainless steel, and the matching bracelet is a full extension of the timepiece itself. In fact, if you compare the brushed steel look of the watch it clearly matches the outer Oyster case of the Explorer I, as if they were both designed together from the same block of steel.
The Oyster Bracelet has seen tremendous development over the years. The early bracelet was
manufactured until the end of the 1960’s and had a rivet-style with hollow folded links. The earliest bracelet was flat and straight and left a gap between the lug and the curved timepiece case. In 1952 Rolex created a curved end that precisely matched the roundness of the Oyster case itself. This left no gap between the lugs and the Oyster case, for a more seamless finish.
From 1967 Rolex continued to enhance the Oyster case, first by keeping the securing pins hidden on the inside links and then by adding solid links on the sides. Today the Oyster bracelet has solid links throughout the bracelet, giving it a weightier and more secure band.
The Oyster bands have also been created with multiple metals. It comes in Rolesor which combines 904L stainless steel with either yellow or rose gold. It also comes in 18k gold utilizing either yellow gold, white gold or Everose gold. You can also find the luxurious 950 platinum used on some Oyster bands.
If you are looking for exquisite bands which are made with the exacting standards that Swiss watchmakers aspire to, look no further than the Rubber B lineup of 100% vulcanized rubber bands. These masterpieces are made to last and have the beauty, comfort and resiliency you would come to expect from a Swiss company.
Rubber B has 4 different bands, including the Classic Series which supports the original oyster clasp from Rolex, the Tang Buckle Series which comes with its own tang buckle, the Velcro Series which has a unique and industrial strength velcro clasp, and the Rubber Cuff Series which is like a NATO strap, but is 100% made from vulcanized rubber. Besides offering multiple looks, styles, and clasp offerings, Rubber B offers a wide variety of colors which can enhance the overall appearance and fashion ability of the Rolex Explorer.
For more information on our bands for the 39mm Explorer I case, visit our page here.
