To many collectors, the reference 6098 can be considered as the first version of the Explorer. Not being a chronometer model before the mid-fifties, it bore the words ?precision? and ?Self Winding?, attesting to its early origins.
IIn the 1950s, daring individuals set out exploring the last uncharted frontiers, braving highest mountains or deepest seas, while aerospace scientists and astronauts would push the limits to conquer space and visit the moon in the future decade. Often, the fine line determining success or failure of such venture was marked by the quality of the equipment obtainable and novel technologies allowed manufacturing diving equipment or protective gear for mountain climbing, which altogether couldn?t eradicate risk, yet succeeded in minimizing dangers. A tool of vital importance to any adventurer was his reliable rugged watch, which allowed precision timekeeping under adverse conditions and proved fit enough outfitting perilous expeditions. Since the 1920s, Rolex had gained a solid reputation by pioneering innovative features like self-winding, water-resistance or shock-protection and transforming these advances into dependable mainstream products. As a logical consequence, mountaineers and divers turned to the firm in hope of ordering proper supplies. Watches however, proved far from being perfect at the time and hence, the Swiss manufacturer set out conquering the horological frontiers. By the early 1950s, Rolex conceived a durable wristwatch outlasting extreme conditions and the company provided expeditions with prototypes for testing in harsh environments by the end of 1952. These timepieces were in fact ?reinforced Oyster? or ?bubbleback? models, carrying no distinct names on their dials, yet essential tools to measure the use of oxygen or synchronize a team?s projects. Rolex registered the ?Explorer? name on January 26, 1953 in Geneva and the firm provided a number of wristwatches for the triumphant British Himalaya expedition led by Colonel John Hunt, although these timepieces didn?t feature the ?Explorer? name on their dials. Shortly, two of the expedition?s climbers created universal headlines: Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa, Tensing Norgay climbed to the peak of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, the latter wearing a Rolex wristwatch with white dial, which is now on exhibit in Rolex?s Geneva museum. Though, time enjoying their fabulous victory on the world?s icy summit was limited to minutes and after taking photographs, the overwhelmed duo started descending from the peak. Later, Hillary summed up the duo?s success in a dry comment, made to expedition member Lowe: ?Well, George, we knocked the bastard off!? Colonel Hunt heralded the expedition watches as ?splendid?, because they provided accurate timing and were waterproof, unaffected by excessive temperatures and self-winding, thus eliminating the bothersome need winding them by slipping off the protective gloves. The ?Explorer II? was manufactured for cave explorers or ?spleleologists,? roaming the underworld in sufficient numbers to produce a tool watch for such courageous species, which kept track of time without the benefits of natural daylight.