Since the 1930s, Rolex has been an active supporter of trailblazing explorers. In 1953, the brand equipped the expedition in which Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people in history to summit the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. The year after, the National Geographic Society ran a story on the historic expedition in their eponymous magazine, National Geographic, marking the start of a natural partnership between Rolex and the Society.

“National Geographic and Rolex have been partners for more than 70 years now. We share an underlying drive to explore and innovate.” 

– Ian Miller, Chief Science and Innovation Officer, National Geographic Society

Over the years, their shared spirit of discovery drew the two organizations together as they continued to support changemakers exploring new realms. In 2019, this partnership was enhanced, becoming a central pillar of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Now, as the Society steps into a new era of exploration, Rolex is supporting the transformation of its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The reimagined National Geographic Base Camp will attract and engage visitors of all backgrounds and ignite the explorer in everyone.

Fundamentally, Base Camp is a place for National Geographic Explorers to call home when they return from the field, where they can share what they have learned, connect with other Explorers and engage the wider public. The new campus will better equip this community as part of Rolex and the National Geographic Society’s joint commitment to exploring, protecting, and illuminating the wonders of our world. The revamped Base Camp is also home to a brand-new public attraction called the Museum of Exploration, and Rolex is proud to be the Grand Opening Partner. Using cutting-edge technology and powerful storytelling, the museum will showcase the work of National Geographic Explorers all over the planet. By inviting the public to engage in immersive, interactive and educational experiences and exhibitions, the museum will amplify the Explorers’ work and connect them to the Society’s mission like never before.

“There is something very powerful about creating a space where exploration becomes real for people. Through the revamped Base Camp, including the Rolex Explorers Landing, visitors will be able to see not only the achievements, but also the curiosity, commitment and long-term effort behind them. We are grateful to the National Geographic Society for its partnership and shared dedication to advancing exploration.” 

– Arnaud Boetsch, Director Communication and Image, Rolex SA.

Guests of the museum will also be able to delve into the Rolex Explorers Landing, which celebrates impactful National Geographic Explorers, showcasing items from landmark expeditions, such as the pressurised diving suit that Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle wore when she completed the deepest ever untethered sea walk in 1979. The Rolex Explorers Landing is divided into four areas – Spark, Trek, Purpose and Impact – that follow the journey of exploration, from the first spark of an idea to the impact their expeditions have on the world. It will also include the Perpetual Planet Expeditions Reader Rail, which will display information about the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Expeditions and show the latest findings from the field in almost real time.

“In conservation, we cannot afford to only have one year of support. We need to build these projects over time. The Perpetual Planet Expeditions are National Geographic and Rolex coming together, and they’re fantastic because they’re projects that last three or four years.” 

– Fernando Trujillo, 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, and Explorer on the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition

Under the banner of Perpetual Planet Expeditions, National Geographic and Rolex are supporting a series of scientific research expeditions to document the impact of climate change on the Earth’s most fragile mountain, rainforest and ocean systems. From Everest and other high-altitude mountain systems, to the Amazon River Basin and now into the depths of the world’s oceans, these Expeditions have marked many significant firsts and milestones. By collaborating with local communities, the Explorers leading the expeditions are finding solutions to protect some of the Earth’s most vital systems.

Since 2011, Rolex and the National Geographic Society have come together every year to name and celebrate the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year during the Society’s annual Explorers Festival. The title is given to leaders in exploration who, through storytelling, shine a critical light on important challenges facing our planet, inspiring action for a more sustainable future. This year, the title was given to Krithi K. Karanth, already a 2019 Rolex Awards Laureate, who has dedicated her career to reducing wildlife-human conflict in India, launching a nationwide education programme that has reached over 50,000 children.

ABOUT THE PERPETUAL PLANET INITIATIVE 
Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing journeys marked by milestones and emotions that culminate in defining moments. 

For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers to help them achieve countless historic feats. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside those building a better future for all life on earth. 

The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative was launched in 2019 and now has a portfolio of more than 30 partners, active in three main focus areas: Oceans; Landscapes; and Science, Health, and Technology.
 
For the Oceans, Rolex supports a wide range of projects such as: Mission Blue and Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle; Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen; and Coral Gardeners. 

The Landscapes roster includes: a strengthened partnership with the National Geographic Society; Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, offspring organisations of Tompkins Conservation; and Steve Boyes and the Great Spine of Africa series of expeditions. 

Rolex also supports partners in Science, Health, and Technology, such as: Rolex Awards Laureates Andrew Bastawrous; Felix Brooks-church; and Miranda Wang.

Rolex also supports organizations and initiatives fostering the next generation of explorers, scientists and conservationists, such as the Royal Geographical Society, The Explorers Club, and the CERN & Society Foundation.