BewristHomage watches, measured

Rolex Explorer homages

Choose the size and dial generation before choosing a model.

36 mm across29 homages

See the 3
Rolex Explorer 124270
The watch shown is the 124270. Homages follow other references too, so compare shape and scale.

How to recognise one

Six marks make the look. The count says how many of the 29 homages keep each one.

  • Triangle at 12

    24 of 29 keep it, 5 not compared yet. A lumed triangle at 12 that points to the centre of the dial.

  • Arabic 3, 6 and 9

    25 of 29 keep it, 1 not compared yet. Large raised numerals at 3, 6 and 9, with a plain no-date dial.

  • Baton hour markers

    19 of 29 keep it, 9 not compared yet. Slim lumed bars mark the other hours.

  • Mercedes hour hand

    16 of 29 keep it, 9 not compared yet. The hour hand carries a ring with three spokes near its tip.

  • Smooth steel bezel

    28 of 29 keep it, 1 not compared yet. A plain polished bezel with no scale or insert, curving down to the case.

Each close-up covers about 12.5 mm of watch, using the listed case width and estimated photo edges.

The 3 that follow the 124270

Most marks kept first.

All 29 homagesFilter all 29 in the finder

Drawn to scale by listed case width.

Original specifications

Sizes and specifications apply to the version named below. Other versions can differ.

1016

Assigned reference 1016.

Specifications for 1016
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width36 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value1963 Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016 'Exclamation Point' With Glossy Dial

Sources agree.

Value is stated for reference 1016.

Lug to lug43 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value

One cited source.

Approximate.

Thickness12.5 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value

One cited source.

Selected the exact-reference review’s model estimate of approximately 12.5 mm. Preserve 13 mm as a specimen-level video-description value with no stated convention.

Sources differ

Read sources report different values; no value selected.

Lug width20 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 1016.

Movement calibre1560 or 1570Rolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value

One cited source.

Varies by production year.

CrystalacrylicRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 1016.

Sources and unconfirmed details
6350

Assigned reference 6350.

Specifications for 6350
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width36 mmThe second life of luxury goods

One cited source.

Exact-reference catalogue examples.

Lug to lug44 mmThe Revival of the Diamond Honeycomb: Brigade Pioneer vs Rolex Explorer ref. 6350

One cited source.

One body-read article assigns 44 mm lug-to-lug to reference 6350; measurement method is not stated.

Thickness10.5 mmROLEX Explorer I Honeycomb Dial 6350 (Product ID 3717002345431) | GMT

One cited source.

GMT’s body-read exact-ref 6350 honeycomb specimen listing states 10.5 mm case thickness. It is a specimen-specific dealer claim; no caliper method is stated. Watchpedia remains an independent reference-database observation.

Lug width20 mmRolex Explorer I 6350 | Alexandre Landre Paris lot 34 archive | EveryWatch

One cited source.

EveryWatch reproduces Alexandre Landre Paris auction lot 34 for a specific 1953 reference 6350 specimen, with caseback marked 6350/IV.53. The catalogue states 36 mm diameter and 20 mm lug width. The listing does not describe a caliper method; this is the exact-specimen auction claim.

Movement typeautomaticThe second life of luxury goods

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 6350.

Case materialstainless steelThe second life of luxury goods

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 6350.

Sources and unconfirmed details
224270

Assigned reference 224270.

Specifications for 224270
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width40 mmHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 224270.

Lug to lug47.5 mmRolex Explorer 224270 | Bizak & Co

One cited source.

One exact-reference dealer body gives roughly 47.5 mm lug-to-lug; selected as an approximate reported value.

Thickness11.6 mmHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 224270.

Lug width21 mmComprehensive Guide to Rolex Sizes | Everest Bands

One cited source.

Everest explicitly assigns 21 mm lug width to reference 224270.

Sources differ

Bizak & Co reports 20 mm; Everest explicitly assigns 21 mm to reference 224270. Selected Everest at 21 mm because the fitment guide explicitly indexes the reference.

Case materialOystersteelHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 224270.

Crystalflat sapphire with anti-reflective treatmentHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 224270.

Water resistance100 mHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270

One cited source.

Value is stated for reference 224270.

Sources and unconfirmed details
124270Shown in the photograph

Assignment names exact reference 124270.

Specifications for 124270
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width36 mmExplorer 36

One primary source.

The manufacturer's read technical material specifies 36 mm for ref. 124270; no independent matching observation was read.

Lug to lug43 mmRolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 124270

One cited source.

One read source reports 43 mm for ref. 124270; treat as a single-source figure.

Thickness11.5 mmRolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 124270

One cited source.

One read source reports 11.5 mm for ref. 124270; treat as a single-source figure.

Lug width19 mmRolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 124270

One cited source.

The exact-reference Worn & Wound review gives a 19 mm width at the lugs. Rolex’s read product page does not state this measurement.

Movement calibre3230Explorer 36

One primary source.

The manufacturer's read technical material specifies 3230 for ref. 124270; no independent matching observation was read.

Case materialOystersteelExplorer 36

One primary source.

The manufacturer's read technical material specifies Oystersteel for ref. 124270; no independent matching observation was read.

CrystalsapphireExplorer 36

One primary source.

The manufacturer's read technical material specifies sapphire for ref. 124270; no independent matching observation was read.

Water resistance100 mExplorer 36

One primary source.

The manufacturer's read technical material specifies 100 m for ref. 124270; no independent matching observation was read.

Power reserve70 hoursExplorer 36

One primary source.

The manufacturer's read technical material specifies 70 hours for ref. 124270; no independent matching observation was read.

Sources and unconfirmed details
214270

Assigned catalogue reference 214270.

Specifications for 214270
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width39 mmRolex Explorer 214270 in-depth review | StockXRolex watch case size guide | Bob's Watches

Sources agree.

StockX review and Bob's measurement table give the same dimensions for reference 214270.

Lug to lug47 mmRolex Explorer 214270 in-depth review | StockXRolex watch case size guide | Bob's Watches

Sources agree.

StockX states 47 mm and Bob's reference-specific chart states approximately 47.0 mm in its Lug-to-Lug column.

Thickness11.5 mmRolex watch case size guide | Bob's Watches

One cited source.

Bob's reference-specific chart states 11.5 mm in its Thickness column; StockX only describes it as a little over 11 mm.

Lug width20 mmFitting Guide | StrapbanditsStrap Guide: Rolex Explorer 1 214270 | Delugs

Sources agree.

Two fitment sources identify the exact Explorer reference and agree on 20 mm.

Water resistanceNot confirmed

Not resolved from the read sources.

Power reserveNot confirmed

Not resolved from the read sources.

WeightNot confirmed

Not resolved from the read sources.

Sources and unconfirmed details
  • Not resolved from the read sources.
  • Not resolved from the read sources.
  • Not resolved from the read sources.
  • Not resolved from the read sources.
5500

The supplied 5500 reference is exact. Explorer-labelled examples use the Air-King case, so the historical model label is a crossover; the recorded case dimensions apply to reference 5500.

Specifications for 5500
SpecificationValueSources and notes
Case width34 mmExplorer, Reference 5500, circa 1967 | Sotheby’sRolex Air-King 5500 Collector’s Guide | Luxury Bazaar

Sources agree.

34 mm case applies to reference 5500; model label varies across examples.

Lug to lug39.2 mmRolex Air-King 5500 Collector’s Guide | Luxury Bazaar

One cited source.

The read 5500 guide dimensions table reports 39.2 mm lug-to-lug; no second independent source confirmed it.

Thickness11.9 mmRolex Air-King 5500 Collector’s Guide | Luxury Bazaar

One cited source.

The read 5500 guide dimensions table reports 11.9 mm thickness; no second independent source confirmed it.

Lug width19 mmAir-King reference 5500 | RescapementWrist problems on Air-King | Rolex Forums

Sources agree.

Rescapement and an owner of a 5500 identify 19mm between the lugs.

Sources and unconfirmed details
  • No exact lug-width measurement was found in the body-read sources.

More about the Explorer

Lay a homage over the ExplorerAny of the 29, laid over the original at one scale

Lay a homage over the Explorer

Slide to fade from one watch to the other and compare the case shapes. The figures below describe the version shown in the photograph.

Rolex Explorer36Rolex Explorer
Addiesdive AD202336Addiesdive AD2023

Photos use listed case widths and automatic case-edge readings. The readings have not been manually audited. Photo proportions stay unchanged. Perspective and lug length can differ.

36 mm, the same width as the Explorer
Rolex Explorer photo: 124270. Addiesdive AD2023 photo: AD2023-1 black dial, steel bracelet.

124270, specifications and sources

Explorer and the selected homage, measure by measure
MeasureExplorerAddiesdive AD2023
Case width36 mm36 mm
Lug to lug43 mm46 mm
Thickness11.5 mm12 mm
Lug width19 mm19 mm
Movement3230VH31
Power reserve70 hoursNot listed yet
Water100 mNot listed yet
PriceNot tracked hereabout £74 $99, seen 27 Sep

Side view

11.5 36 wide 43 lug to lug
Explorer
12 36 wide 46 lug to lug
Addiesdive AD2023

Copies

  • Triangle at 12
  • Arabic 3, 6 and 9
  • Baton hour markers
  • Mercedes hour hand
  • Smooth steel bezel
  • Three-link bracelet

Gives it away

  • Thicker, more modern case flank and bezel than the slim vintage 1016
Open the Addiesdive AD2023
The buying guideResearched picks, the references, and questions buyers ask

The guide's researched picks

Swipe along the bench to see all 4.

Smiths Everest PRS-25, 36 mm black dial and multi-row bracelet: Smiths Everest PRS-25

Consider the Smiths for a 36 mm automatic on a multi-row bracelet. Timefactors lists Miyota 9039, a 43.5 mm lug-to-lug span and 11.4 mm thickness.

The compromise. The current page describes Mercedes hands, but other pictures of this watch show a lollipop-style hour hand. Check the version on offer if the hand shape matters to you.

Price
£345, seen 2 Oct
Movement
Miyota 9039
Case
36 mm wide, 43.5 mm lug to lug, 11.4 mm thick
Water
100 m
Details and where to buy

Watchdives WD1016 V3, 39 mm VH31: Watchdives WD1016

Choose the 39 mm WD1016 V3 if you want the larger dial and a sweeping-seconds quartz movement. Watchdives lists 47 mm lug-to-lug and 10.8 mm thickness.

The compromise. Its dial, numerals and case proportions differ from the Rolex. The listing offers several dial colours, so choose black when you order.

Price
about £89 $119, seen 27 Sep
Movement
Seiko VH31
Case
39 mm wide, 47 mm lug to lug, 10.8 mm thick
Water
100 m
Details and where to buy

Cronos L6019, 36 mm NH35: Cronos L6019

Consider the 36 mm L6019 for an automatic Explorer-style dial and a listed 43.4 mm lug-to-lug span. The seller names NH35 and gives 11.55 mm thickness.

The compromise. These specifications come from a Watchdives seller listing. It offers several dial colours and does not explain calendar operation behind the date-free dial. Check the actual colour and movement configuration before ordering.

Price
about £172 $229, seen 27 Sep
Movement
NH35
Case
36 mm wide, 43.4 mm lug to lug, 11.55 mm thick
Water
100 m
Details and where to buy

Before you choose

Updated 4 October 2026.

In brief

Choose the size and dial generation before choosing a model. Rolex currently offers the steel Explorer in 36 mm and 40 mm. Both use calibre 3230 and have no date. The older 36 mm 1016 gives a different vintage comparison.

The shortlist below covers two 36 mm automatics and a 39 mm sweeping-seconds quartz. Their listed lug-to-lug spans range from about 43.5 mm to 47 mm. That difference deserves more attention than a shared 3-6-9 dial.

Vintage and current mean more than a size change

The 1016 came with gilt and matte dials and moved from calibre 1560 to 1570. Later 1570 examples added hacking seconds. Reference guides disagree on the year production started, so no single date is given here.

The 14270 generation introduced sapphire and applied markers, according to Monochrome. The current steel 124270 and 224270 use calibre 3230 and luminous 3, 6 and 9 numerals. Decide which visible treatment you want instead of treating every Explorer-style dial as the same design.

Use lug-to-lug to narrow the shortlist

Smiths lists 43.5 mm lug to lug for its 36 mm watch, and the Cronos seller 43.4 mm for its 36 mm version: a tenth of a millimetre apart.

Watchdives lists 47 mm lug to lug for the 39 mm quartz, longer than either 36 mm automatic here, though at 10.8 mm it is thinner. The makers may measure in different ways.

Rolex does not publish comparable lug-to-lug or thickness figures on the current pages read here. Do not calculate a fit delta from a remembered or unsourced Rolex measurement.

Check the bracelet and movement configuration

The Smiths version here has a multi-row bracelet. Rolex describes the three-link Oyster bracelet, Oysterlock clasp and Easylink extension.

The WD1016 version here uses VH31 quartz. Smiths lists a Miyota 9039 automatic, and the Cronos seller an NH35 automatic. These are different kinds of movement, not equals in accuracy, winding or servicing.

Against the original, spec by spec

A 36 mm automatic with an older Explorer comparison

The Smiths comparison starts with the 36 mm, date-free 1016 layout. Its modern Miyota movement and sapphire crystal do not reproduce a vintage Rolex configuration.

Specification1016Smiths Everest PRS-25
Case width36 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value1963 Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016 'Exclamation Point' With Glossy Dial36 mm
Lug to lug43 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value43.5 mm
Thickness12.5 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value11.4 mm
Lug width20 mmRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & Value20 mm
Movement calibre1560 or 1570Rolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & ValueMiyota 9039
Case materialNot listed yet316L stainless steel
CrystalacrylicRolex Explorer 1016 Review | Hands-On, Specs & ValueSapphire, underside AR
Water resistanceNot listed yet100 m
Bracelet materialNot listed yetJubilee, 20 to 16 mm taper, screwed links and signed push-button clasp
LumeNot listed yetSuperLuminova X1-C3 on dial and hands
WarrantyNot listed yet24 months
WeightNot listed yet130 g
Width with crownNot listed yet39.3 mm
A 36 mm automatic for the current Explorer layout

The Cronos and the current Explorer 36 are both listed at 36 mm. The Cronos seller lists more case sizes, but they do not show the two wear the same.

Specification124270Cronos L6019
Case width36 mmExplorer 3636 mm
Lug to lug43 mmRolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 12427043.4 mm
Thickness11.5 mmRolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 12427011.55 mm
Lug width19 mmRolex Looks Back With The New Explorer 12427020 mm
Movement calibre3230Explorer 36NH35
Case materialOystersteelExplorer 36316L stainless steel
CrystalsapphireExplorer 36Flat sapphire with clear AR coating
Water resistance100 mExplorer 36100 m
LumeNot listed yetBGW9
Power reserve70 hoursExplorer 36Not listed yet
A 39 mm quartz option beside the current 40 mm original

The WD1016 is one millimetre below the current Explorer 40 in listed diameter. Its quartz movement and offered dial colours make it a separate choice, rather than a scaled copy of the original.

Specification224270Watchdives WD1016
Case width40 mmHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 22427039 mm
Lug to lug47.5 mmRolex Explorer 224270 | Bizak & Co47 mm
Thickness11.6 mmHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 22427010.8 mm
Lug width21 mmComprehensive Guide to Rolex Sizes | Everest Bands20 mm
Movement calibreNot listed yetSeiko VH31
Case materialOystersteelHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270316L stainless steel
Crystalflat sapphire with anti-reflective treatmentHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270Top-hat sapphire with AR coating
Water resistance100 mHands-On: Rolex Explorer 40 Watch Reference 224270100 m
Bracelet materialNot listed yetStainless steel screw-link bracelet, 20 mm to 16 mm
ClaspNot listed yetFive-hole micro-adjustment milled clasp
FunctionsNot listed yetVH31 sweeping quartz time display
WarrantyNot listed yet2 years

Questions

Which choices here are 36 mm?

The Smiths PRS-25 and Cronos L6019 versions here are listed at 36 mm. Both are automatic. Smiths gives 43.5 mm lug-to-lug, and the Cronos seller gives 43.4 mm. The Watchdives version compared here is the separate 39 mm quartz.

Is the current larger Explorer 39 mm or 40 mm?

The current steel 224270 is 40 mm. The earlier 214270 was the 39 mm generation described in the reference guide. A 39 mm alternative should not inherit the current 224270's specifications.

Does a 1016-style dial mean the watch has vintage Rolex specifications?

No. The 1016 had different dial and movement generations. The Smiths uses Miyota 9039 and sapphire according to its maker; the WD1016 version here uses VH31 quartz and sapphire. Their names and dial layouts do not reproduce the original movement.

Does the WD1016 version here have a black dial?

The 39 mm configuration does not choose every dial option. Watchdives lists cream, brown and enamel-black choices. Select enamel-black if you want the listed black option, and confirm the glass option on the offered watch.

Sources and dates

We used current Rolex pages for the 36 mm and 40 mm originals, reference guides for the 1016 and model-specific maker or seller pages for the candidates. Figures are listed claims. Bewrist has not measured or worn these watches.

The catalogue snapshot was checked on 4 October 2026 to link exact versions and preserve design-comparison scope. An original used in a table is a comparator, not a promise of identical construction or performance.

We have no current price or stock comparison, hands-on fit trial, independent water test or reliability comparison. The Smiths hand description also needs reconciliation with the saved photograph note.

Some buying links on watch pages are affiliate links. Bewrist may earn a commission when you use them.

  1. Rolex Explorer 36 ref. 124270 product pageMaker, read 4 October 2026
  2. Rolex Explorer 40 ref. 224270 product pageMaker, read 4 October 2026
  3. Rolex Explorer featuresMaker, read 4 October 2026
  4. Hodinkee Reference Points, Rolex ExplorerReview, read 4 October 2026
  5. Monochrome, in-depth history of the Rolex ExplorerReview, read 4 October 2026
  6. Smiths Everest PRS-25 36 mm black dial product pageMaker, read 4 October 2026
  7. Watchdives WD1016 V3 39 mm VH31 product pageMaker, read 4 October 2026
  8. Watchdives seller page for Cronos L6019 36 mm NH35Seller, read 4 October 2026
  9. Bewrist Explorer catalogue snapshot, 4 October 2026Catalogue, read 4 October 2026
  10. Catalogue observation: www.timefactors.comCatalogue, read 2 October 2026
  11. Catalogue observation: watchdives.comCatalogue, read 27 September 2026
  12. Catalogue observation: watchdives.comCatalogue, read 27 September 2026
The references, in order5 references, with the homages that follow each

Which Explorer?

14 of the 29 homages follow one named reference, and the rest copy the look in general. Select a reference to see its homages.

Explorer4 references

  1. 635036 mm1 homage
  2. 550034 mm1 homage
  3. 1016Vintage36 mm, 1560 or 15708 homages
  4. 214270Modern applied-marker generation39 mm2 homages

Explorer 361 reference

  1. 124270Shown above36 mm, 32303 homages

Vintage Explorer 1016

The 1016 is a 36 mm no-date Explorer. Its dial and movement changed during production, including calibres 1560 and 1570. Do not treat every 1016 as one configuration.

Explorer 36 124270

The current 36 mm Explorer uses calibre 3230, has no date display and carries a 100 m water-resistance claim.

Explorer 40 224270

The current 40 mm Explorer uses calibre 3230, has no date display and carries a 100 m water-resistance claim.

Compared and not kept3 watches left off the bench, with the reason

These watches were compared with the Rolex Explorer and left off the bench.