The Rolex of Adventurers and Explorers! The evolution of the Explorer is closely linked to the first major Himalayan expeditions of the last century. After many participants had trusted the Rolex Oyster wristwatch in the 1930s, Rolex presented the Explorer in 1953, directly related to the legendary first ever climb of Mount Everest by British mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa Tensing Norgay on May 29 1953.