Putting Rolex Explorer II to the test
Explorer II Background
For those not familiar with the Rolex Explorer II, it comes in either black or white “Polar” dial. Both are made for extreme conditions.
Here’s my story on how I use my tool watch as intended: a critical piece of equipment for exploration and adventure
Extreme places tested
From glaciers on Mt. Denali to the Brooks Range and the high Rockies to the lowest places on earth in the Dead Sea, my explorer has been a constant companion since I bought it.
Glaciers and Mt Denali / Mountains
It Doesn’t get much harsher than north America’s highest peak, Mt. Denali with hurricane force winds and sub zero temps. . While I didn’t climb the peak, I did a flight around the summit in an unpressurized bush plane and glacier landing to hike across one of the glacier fields.
The bush plane pilot also had a Rolex, and she does that for a living.
OffShore fishing
When in pursuit of big game fish from marlin to tuna you are tested by One the the harshest environments. Offshore fishing is constant motion, heavy seas (8-10 foot rolls) as well as non stop salt spray will put any fisherman and his watch to the test.
Fishing Wild remote rivers
The explorer held up wonderfully in wild and remote waters from Alaska to Maine to the backcountry of the everglades
From being knocked around while Shooting rapids in a drift boat to being knocked off your feet into the water while wading in swift current in cold water takes a toll the equipment from reels to watches,
While the waters in the everglades are calm and warm, the environment is hard with hit temps, high humidity and lotos of mud and muck.
Exploring Deserts
From the Red Rock Deserts of Arizona to Texas Hill Country and the Dead Sea, Harsh desert environments from sand and grit as well as the rough and tumble of a Jeep across this landscape is a beating not only on the body, but what’s on your wrist.
High arctic midnight sun / Tundra
The Polar Explorer really shined when I was in the high arctic during he summer solstice. It’s easy after a several days in 24 hour daylight to get confused between day and night in the Arctic. The dial and 24 hr hand set to local time made it say not to get confused between 10:00 and 22:00 hrs when the sun is the same.
Future tests
- Amazon river expeditions in 2022 / 2023
- Canadian Arctic expedition 2023
- Norwegian Fjords 2024
Final thoughts
While a Casio G-shock offers the some of the same level of toughness in the harshest environments as my Rolex Explorer II, the Rolex has many advantages:
- The Rolex Explorer II is an automatic watch engineered for Mt. Everest and extreme conditions from sub-zero to triple digit temps
- The Rolex Explorer II is made with the toughest of materials such as Oystersteel most commonly used in the aerospace and chemical industries, where maximum resistance to corrosion is essential.
- The Rolex Explorer II is designed to handle internal and external shocks.
- The Rolex Explorer II allows one to walk In the footsteps of giants knowing that your watch is a part of an amazing heritage of exploration and it will not fail or the battery die.
- The Rolex Explorer II looks equally cool as a tool watch handling extreme conditions as it does in the office or on a night out.
