Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer - User Manual

This document serves as a comprehensive guide for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer, detailing its features, usage, and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer is a distinguished timepiece, embodying a rich history of exploration and robust engineering. Introduced in 1953, following the successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who were equipped with Oyster Perpetual watches, the Explorer quickly became an icon. Its origins trace back to the 1930s when Rolex began utilizing the world as a rigorous testing ground to assess the reliability of its watches under extreme real-world conditions. This pioneering spirit led to the outfitting of numerous Himalayan expeditions with Oyster watches, solidifying the brand's commitment to durability and precision in challenging environments. The Explorer is thus emblematic of the deep connection between Rolex and the spirit of exploration.

Function Description:

The Oyster Perpetual Explorer is designed for reliability and legibility, particularly in demanding situations. At its core, it is a self-winding mechanical watch, entirely manufactured by Rolex, ensuring a high degree of precision and craftsmanship. The watch features a classic three-hand display: an hour hand, a minute hand, and a seconds hand, allowing for clear and immediate time reading. A key functional element is its Twinlock winding crown, which incorporates a double waterproofness system, crucial for maintaining the watch's integrity in various conditions. The dial is equipped with Chromalight hour markers and hands, filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow in darkness, enhancing legibility in low-light environments. This feature is particularly beneficial for explorers and adventurers who might find themselves in dimly lit caves or during nighttime expeditions. The watch's 36mm Oyster case is a testament to its robustness, offering waterproofness up to 100 meters (330 feet). This level of water resistance makes it suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and other water-based activities, though it is important to ensure the crown is properly screwed down. The sapphire crystal, which protects the dial, is virtually scratchproof, further contributing to the watch's durability and maintaining its aesthetic appeal over time.

Usage Features:

To ensure the Oyster Perpetual Explorer functions correctly and precisely, it requires proper initial setup and winding. Before being worn for the first time, or if the watch has stopped, it must be manually wound. This process involves unscrewing the winding crown completely and then turning it clockwise a minimum of 25 times for adequate partial winding. Turning the crown in the opposite direction has no effect on winding. Once partially wound, the watch will continue to be wound automatically as long as it is worn on the wrist, thanks to its self-winding mechanism. After manual winding, it is crucial to carefully screw the crown back down against the case to ensure its waterproofness.

Setting the time is a straightforward process. With the crown unscrewed, it is pulled out to the first notch. This action stops the seconds hand, allowing for precise time setting. The hour and minute hands can then be adjusted by turning the crown in either direction. Once the time is set, the crown must be pushed back in and screwed down tightly against the case. It is imperative that the crown is never unscrewed underwater, as this would compromise the watch's waterproofness.

A notable comfort feature of the Oyster Perpetual Explorer is the Easylink comfort extension link integrated into its Oyster bracelet. This exclusive design allows the wearer to adjust the length of the bracelet by approximately 5 mm without the need for any tools. This is particularly useful for adapting the fit of the watch to changes in wrist size due to temperature fluctuations or physical activity. To extend the bracelet, the link is pulled out from its folded position. To shorten it, the link is folded back onto itself until it clicks into place. This user-friendly adjustment mechanism enhances the overall wearing experience, ensuring optimal comfort at all times.

Maintenance Features:

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer, thanks to Rolex's renowned expertise and high-quality construction, requires very little day-to-day care. However, some simple maintenance practices can help preserve its luster and ensure its long-term performance. Regular cleaning is recommended, which can be done with a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the watch. For a more thorough clean, the case and bracelet can be washed from time to time using soapy water and a soft brush. This helps remove dirt, grime, and other residues that can accumulate with daily wear.

After wearing the watch in the sea, it is particularly important to rinse it with fresh water. This step is crucial for removing any salt and sand deposits, which can be corrosive or abrasive over time. Before any cleaning, it is always essential to ensure that the crown is properly screwed down against the case to guarantee waterproofness and prevent water from entering the movement.

Beyond daily care, periodic professional servicing is vital to ensure the timepiece continues to perform optimally and meets Rolex's stringent requirements for precision, reliability, and waterproofness throughout its life. The timekeeping accuracy of the watch relies heavily on high-performance lubricants specially developed by Rolex to minimize friction and prevent wear of components. To maintain continued accuracy and waterproofness, Rolex recommends that owners periodically return their watch to an Official Rolex Jeweler or Service Center for professional servicing.

During a complete service, the watch undergoes a meticulous process. It is entirely dismantled, and all its components – including the case, bracelet, and movement – are closely examined. Parts that no longer meet Rolex requirements are systematically replaced with new components. The movement is then carefully lubricated during reassembly. The case and bracelet are re-polished or satin-finished according to their original finish, restoring their shine and luster while removing any marks or scratches. At the culmination of this process, the Rolex watch undergoes a series of rigorous tests to verify its functions, waterproofness, power reserve, and the precision of its movement. After a complete Rolex service, the watch is covered by a service warranty, providing peace of mind to the owner.

The worldwide service network of Official Rolex Jewelers and Service Centers spans over 100 countries. This network comprises highly skilled watchmakers, carefully selected and trained by Rolex, who are equipped to advise on all technical aspects of the watch's functions. Whether it's for bracelet sizing or a complete service, these qualified professionals are available globally to meet all service needs, ensuring that every Rolex Explorer maintains its exceptional quality and performance for generations. For a comprehensive list of Official Rolex Jewelers and Service Centers, owners are encouraged to visit rolex.com.