Rolex Enlarges Explorer for 2010

I'm a bit of a watch nut. As such, I've always been a fan of Rolex's particular brand of understated elegance and clean design. My first favorite was the old stainless steel Submariner from the '50s, but what eventually found a place in my ticking heart was the Explorer I. With its super-clean gloss black graphics featuring a triangle at the 12 o'clock position and "Mercedes" hour hand, the Explorer is simple and uncluttered. And with its mountain-climbing heritage, it has personified understated elegance and ruggedness for generations.

For 2010, the Explorer has grown up a bit. Rolex has enlarged the face size from 36mm to 39mm, bringing it up to date with modern watch sizes, while retaining its simple beauty and proportions. The story behind the Explorer's birth is equally noteworthy, as Rolex built the timepiece to commemorate Sir Edmund Hillary's ascent of Mount Everest with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Ever since this particular watch - along with the 1971 introduction of the Explorer II (with white face and thicker bezel) - has been associated with outdoor adventure in the mountains and polar ice caps.

At approximately $4500, the Explorer is pricier than many other sport watches, but is priced on the affordable side for a keepsake timepiece that you can hand down for generations. And besides, Father's Day is only a few months away...

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