Rolex Watch Expeditions

Purpose and Application Criteria

Rolex Explorers Club Expedition Watch Program

Since 1933, Rolex has been an active supporter of pioneering explorers. Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches have accompanied Explorers Club members to the highest mountains and to the deepest ocean depths, serving as precise, reliable tools upon which explorers could rely to ensure their success.

In 1996, Rolex began a partnership with The Explorers Club to enhance knowledge and support pioneers exploring new realms. In 2016, the two organizations enhanced their partnership by, among other things, establishing The Rolex Explorers Club Expedition Watch Program (“Program”).

The Program carries on the tradition of The Explorers Club Flag, where deserving Explorers/Expeditions are awarded the opportunity to wear one of three specially-numbered Rolex chronometers based on the merit and importance of their expedition. Immediately upon the completion of the member's expedition, the watch and a brief report are returned to Club headquarters, where the watches are placed on display until they return to the field with a new awardee. In this way, the numbered watches gain their own history, and they symbolize Rolex and The Explorers Club's shared commitment to gain and share knowledge, while promoting exploration of land, sea, air and space.

To qualify for a loan of a watch from the Program, applicants must submit an Application and meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a Member/Fellow or Term Member in good standing. (Associate Members, Friends of the Club, and Students are not eligible to apply.)
• The applicant must be taking an active part in anon-commercial field research expedition.
• The objectives of the expedition must be clearly stated and are consistent with the spirit of original exploration.
• The purpose of the undertaking must benefit exploration, conservation and science.
• The expedition must align with the goals of Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative.
• The expedition should operate in a location which is remote or little known; gather relevant scientific data or record observations under field conditions.
• The plan of the expedition is such that the objectives are realistic.
• The application procedures must be followed.
• Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the expedition's departure.
• Watch awards are subject to availability of the numbered watches in the program.
• The applicant must submit a brief report and photos/video to The Explorers Club upon their return.
• The applicant must authorize The Explorers Club and Rolex to use their submitted text, photos and/or video to promote exploration and the goals of the member, expedition and both organizations.

The Program application will not be considered unless:

• Dues are current.
• The applicant has a history of failing to return an Explorers Club Flag and/or report from a previous expedition in a timely manner.
• The applicant acknowledges that the Rolex watch must be returned to The Explorers Club after the expedition within thirty (30) days or less.
• The applicant acknowledges that failure to return the Rolex watch to The Explorers Club within thirty (30) days after the expedition constitutes a violation of Article XII, Section 5 of The Explorers Club Bylaws, and subject the member to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with Article IV, Section 14 (Discipline), including expulsion, and other legal remedies.
• The application is complete.

Your application will be evaluated by both Rolex and TEC members who are experienced explorers and have a close affiliation with Rolex and its ideals. The application will be judged entirely on its own merits. Applicants are advised to send it a complete application that fully addresses the following questions:

• How will your project advance field science and knowledge, and how is it consistent with the spirit of original exploration?
• Is your team experienced and capable of meeting your objectives? Include CVs or short bios of team members as an attachment.
• Describe your operational plan and/or research methodologies. Consider adding them as an attachment.
• How will your findings be published and/or communicated? Be specific. Members are encouraged to convey their findings in a variety of formats, including print and video. Do you have the ability to do this?
• How will your expedition align with the goals of Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative? How do you foresee the watch – its use, historical tie-in, etc. – enhancing of your expedition?
• Are any team members recruited by open advertisement and do they pay fixedparticipation fee? If so, explain your funding strategy in detail, noting that commercial and/or “tourist” trips are excluded.
• Have you met your prior obligations for Flag Reports? Be specific. Applications for the Rolex Explorers Club Watch Program will not be considered unless and until the applicant has submitted acceptable Flag Reports from prior Flag expeditions.
• Are you willing to grant to Rolex and The Explorers Club the right to use your name, likeness, image and voice, conversation, sounds, text and report in connection with the Rolex Explorers Club Watch Program, including publicity for the Program, The Explorers Club and Rolex?
• Although your agreement to grant such use is not a pre-requisite to approval of your application, applicants that agree to such use are given priority in consideration for participation in the Program.

A Note Regarding Conservation Related Expeditions:

• Preference is given to expeditions with goals to find new solutions to conservation challenges and scientific questions.
• Must include field research and the dissemination of knowledge.
• Please refer to Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative for examples of conservation projects and expeditions that Rolex sponsors in their quest to protect the environment.

Please review your application thoroughly before final submission. If you have questions, please contact Members Services (membership@explorers.org) and they will address your concerns.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Membership Category and Election Year

Personal Information

Expedition Details

Location Information

Expedition Leader

Additional personnel

1. Team Member

2. Team Member

3. Team Member

4. Team Member

5. Team Member

6. Team Member

7. Team Member

7. Team Member

Statement of the applicant

Reporting Guidelines

Outstanding expeditions reports contain many similar elements and attributes; and to establish a level of consistency, we provide Rolex Explorers Club Watch Program expedition report guidelines.

A few simple steps to build an expedition report for this program:

Project overview:

A succinct summary of the expedition's major points including, project significance, objectives, results and any implications the discoveries may have on either the field of study and/or exploration.

Project explanation:

Illustrate the importance of the expedition. Include maps, and at least five high resolution (5MB or greater) photos of the expedition member(s) in the field, with at least two of these photos showing the Rolex watch. Include the expedition team members with names. Include background information, with prior relevant research results, on both the region and the topic of study.

Project objectives:

Summarize the objectives of the expedition, highlight references which may include journal articles, reports from previous expeditions filed, unpublished reports, etc.

Project methods:

If a scientific study, provide equipment descriptions, details of sampling techniques, measurement collection, and techniques used for analyzing the data. Include figures and tables. If exploration oriented, explain how the expedition was conducted.

Project results:

What were the results of the expedition? What was accomplished? Null results are certainly acceptable. Include the unexpected.

Project implications:

How will these results influence science and/or exploration? What significant factors were uncovered during this expedition? Will the results influence land or resource management policies? Develop or test new technologies?

The Rolex Explorers Club Expedition Watch Reports are contained in our Research Collections at Headquarters in New York. After review and evaluation, reports may be selected for posting on our website or published in The Explorers Club Journal. At a future date, the collection may be digitized as part of our virtual World Center for Exploration.

Financing and Sponsorship

Aplication Process

To finalize your submission, you will either need to upload your electronic signature or check the box below to acknowledge the terms outlined in this application.