The earliest movement used in the Rolex Explorer II was the Caliber 1575, but over the years it was replaced with more technically advanced movements to help this watch reach its full adventure potential. The first big upgrade was the Cal. 3085 which allowed the 24-hour hand to be adjusted independently from the 12-hour hand. This meant the Explorer II no longer just indicated day and night hours, but could also be used to track a second time zone – turning it into a GMT watch. Then came the Cal. 3185 which was improved upon more with a Glucydur balance wheel that is not only paramagnetic but was resilient in extreme temperatures. The 3186 came next with a blue Parachrom hairspring that is anti-magnetic and shock resistant for even better durability. Finally, we have the modern-day Cal. 3187 which features all the upgrades this watch has gained over the years – from the GMT functionality to the blue Parachrom hairspring. It’s also notable for its high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, 31 jewels, -2/+2 seconds per day accuracy and 48-hour power reserve.The Submariner has a much longer history, so we’re going to start with the automatic Caliber 3135, which, while upgraded over the years, has been used in all date-displaying Submariner watches since 1988. While the aesthetics of the Submariner can vary, the Cal. 3135 has remained a trusted source of power for this beloved timepiece because of its sheer reliability. Today, the upgraded Cal. 3135 movement is COSC certified, outfitted with the anti-magnetic and ultra shock-resistant blue Parachrom hairspring, and boasts an impressive 48-hour power reserve just like the Explorer II.
The GMT-Master’s mechanics permit wearers to read two time zones simultaneously (or three time zones on the GMT-Master II) while its design is oh-so classically cool. A particularly gorgeous version for women is the new Rolex GMT-Master II dressed entirely in solid 18k Everose gold (the brand’s proprietary rose gold alloy) and accented with a two-tone black and brown colored Cerachrom (the brand’s proprietary ceramic alloy) bezel.The watch sports a 40mm case, which at just a hair over 12mm thick, looks great on ladies’ wrist as an oversized and luxurious sports watch. For a tighter fit, removing a link or two from the solid gold Oyster bracelet is a simple process. Plus, Rolex’s Easylink clasp system lets you micro-adjust the bracelet length by 5mm while on the go should cabin pressure cause some wrist swelling. Adjusting local time when you touch down is a breeze thanks to a local hour hand that can advance in one-hour “jumps” while the arrow-tipped GMT hand pointing to the 24-hour bezel lets you know what time it is at home.Packing light is the hallmark of frequent and savvy travelers and when you need an effortless watch to wear on throughout your trip, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is here for you. A time-only watch means that you don’t have to worry about changing the date and a sturdy and water-resistant (to 100 meters) stainless steel case can keep up with whatever adventure awaits you. The best part of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual line is that it offers a wide range of sizes (26mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, and 39mm) to fit virtually any wrist, and dial styles come in a generous assortment of colors (black, white, purple, blue, pink, and green to name a few) and index styles (Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, and batons).If your travel destination involves packing some swimwear and heading to warmer climates, then the Rolex Yacht-Master is an ideal companion. As its name suggests, the robust Yacht-Master was built for a life at sea yet channels that cruise-collection chic vibe suitable for lounging on the deck.
