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Explorer I Reference 14270
The first major external evolution of the Explorer in 30 years. The 14270 is noticeably more refined than the 1016 — brighter lume, a crisper case finish, and improved bracelet. The move to Cal. 3130 mid-production brought the modern bi-directional rotor and Glucydur balance. Tritium luminous material was replaced with non-radioactive SuperLuminova on late production examples, making them readily identifiable (SuperLuminova is cream-white vs tritium's aged yellow-cream).
Notable: Last Explorer reference made only in 36mm before the controversial 39mm enlargement.
Technical Specification
| Reference | 14270 |
| Production years | 1989–2001 |
| Case diameter | 36 mm |
| Case material | Oyster steel |
| Movement | Cal. 3000 → Cal. 3130 |
| Jewels | 27 (Cal. 3000), 31 (Cal. 3130) |
| Frequency | 28,800 bph |
| Power reserve | 42h (Cal. 3000) → 48h (Cal. 3130)h |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops removed (date-free) |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Bracelet | Oyster 78790 with folding Oysterclasp |
| Lume | Tritium (early) → SuperLuminova (from ~1999) |
| Dial colour | Gloss black lacquer |
| Numerals | 3–6–9 Arabic, applied white gold with lume fill |
| Hands | Mercedes hour hand (wider, brighter lume), baton minute, seconds with pip |
| Crown | Twinlock Oyster screwed crown |
| Serial range | 87xxxxx – A5xxxxx |
Variants & Production Marks
MK0 (1989-90): Cal. 3000, tritium, painted indices
MK1 (1990-95): Cal. 3130, tritium, applied indices
MK2 (1995-99): Cal. 3130, tritium, wider numerals
MK3/4 (1999-01): SuperLuminova, updated bracelet clasp