Rolex Explorer Two-Tone Ref. 124273 Review
Two-tone Rolex Explorer. I would never have thought to say that combination of four words six months ago. And when I first saw them in April, fake Rolex introduced the unexpected ref. 124273, I admit I was caught off guard. An explorer’s gold watch? Doesn’t that run counter to the Rigor of the Explorer and disrespect the tradition of Rolex’s least-changed sports watch? It may well be, but it is also a recipe for a watch I immediately knew I needed to wear on my wrist to test for myself. 
In today’s watch world, it’s easy to get bored. There are so many “us too” designs – some things are successful, and everyone else is doing their version. So much “heritage” and “DNA” floating around stops watchmakers from experimenting. Seeing Rolex, a legendary and conservative brand you’d find anywhere, in any industry, come out of the woodwork and get so weird is genuinely inspiring. It was exhilarating for them to keep me on my toes and show me a watch that overwhelmed me.
So, how does the watch perform? I am a long-time fan of the replica Rolex Explorer and a proud owner of the vintage (all steel) Explorer I have been wearing, and I can say that the two-tone Explorer ref. I can say that the two-tone Explorer 124273 delivers on its promise of being both something familiar and something surprising.
Among Rolex sports watches, the Explorer is one of the simpler ones in history. There are only a handful of models, few quirky variations, and its design has remained unchanged since its debut in 1953 with the 6350 model. By that time, the watch already had most of its defining features. It was based on a 36 mm stainless steel Oyster case, featured a black dial with 3-6-9 numerals, and was framed by a polished steel bezel. These features have remained unchanged for 57 years, with the 1016 series being produced for nearly half that time.
In 2010, a significant change came with the introduction of number 214270, which increased the case size to 39 mm for the first time. To say that this caused controversy among Explorer enthusiasts would be an understatement. It’s hard for diehards like me to consider anything that isn’t 36 mm a true Explorer. The more reserved size and understated personality are vital parts of what make the watch unique in the replica Rolex catalog. But Rolex will do what Rolex will do, which doesn’t seem to have hurt sales or reduced interest in the Explorer. Just ask anyone who tries to buy the Model 214270, and they’ll tell you how hot they are.
For a more detailed history and reference of the Explorer, check out James’ review of Explorer #214270 here. He has great detail with photos, and I have no reason to rehash them here.