1016 Explorer Thead - Calling all Owners & Experts

[sillo]

At the risk of being a repost, I wanted to start a thread to compile as much info on the 1016 as possible. I've noticed there's a thread for most other vintage references and through all my searching I couldn't find a good one for the 1016. Hopefully this will become a thread that people can reference to check the authenticity/originality of their watch. So my biggest question is are there specific dial variations, such as spacing and font size, that can be linked to serial numbers? I know earlier should be gilt and later matte, but I'd like to know about subtler differences within the broader categories.

I'd love to see all the 1016s on TRF too!

Here's my 1016. Serial is 9,064,xxx which I believe dates to 1985.





What I'm most curious about is if this is an original dial or a tritium service dial. I've found a few other pictures of 1016s where the P in perpetual and L in Explorer line up like mine. Some from the late 70s, but with these The R in Rolex is above S and the X is above the U. I found a picture of an 81 that is identical to mine, but don't know if the dial was original on that one.

I know it's been serviced a few times judging by the aggressive polish and service crystal. The hands and dial match so if they were swapped it would probably be together? Neither glow at all.



Here's a profile shot of the service crystal that was installed when I purchased it.



Here's one of the domed crystal I had swapped out. It was confirmed genuine when I sent it to Bob Ridley for the swap, but if you have doubts please let me know. I found lots of info on tropic 22 domes, but nothing seemed too concrete. From what I've read it should protrude slightly from the bezel before curving.



My case has definitely seen better days





I have no way of opening the caseback right now, I'll add pictures when I get a chance in the future. It does hack like it should though.

[Karbo]

& love it

[sillo]

^beaut, what year is it from?

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by sillo38

I've noticed there's a thread for most other vintage references and through all my searching I couldn't find a good one for the 1016.

Agree wholeheartedly, we need a 1016 thread.

I owned one back in the early 2000's but decided to sell it to buy a brand new 16610 Sub Date. Figured I'd never need two black dialed stainless steel Rolexes. Loved the Sub for 15 years but never forgot my adoration for the 1016 and now that my kids are grown it was time to get back what I had cast off.

I've owned this one for two weeks now, she's a 1960 with a dial and hands that were replaced by an AD right about the time I sold my prior version, has just the right amount of patina, I'm relieved it's not a perfect example relegated to a safe, and is a fantastic daily wearer. I'd forgotten how balanced and comfortable the 1016 is on the wrist, the 16610 is significantly larger and heavier in comparison. Lots of wrist time ahead for this baby.

So that's my story, would love to see some more 1016's.

BJ

[Karbo]

Nice one speed

[roll9]

I'm hoping to join the 1016 club soon.
It's not easy to find a nice example.

[willski]

Originally Posted by roll9

I'm hoping to join the 1016 club soon.

It's not easy to find a nice example.

Likewise...

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Karbo

Nice one speed

Thanks!

Originally Posted by roll9

I'm hoping to join the 1016 club soon.
It's not easy to find a nice example.

Check your PM. I know of a decent one which I passed on after I found the one pictured.

Originally Posted by willski

Likewise...

Likewise.

[vintagehartmann]

The one on the left is 3,0xx,xxx series.
The one on the right is 9,7xx,xxx series.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

The one on the left is 3,0xx,xxx series.
The one on the right is 9,7xx,xxx series.

It's amazing how the text on the dials keeps moving around. On my 1972 1016, the L in EXPLORER almost lines up with the right edge of the R in OYSTER.

[sillo]

Awesome to see some more 1016s! Beautiful examples guys.

[willski]

More more! Need more inspiration...


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[vintagehartmann]

Just installed NOS Rolex T22 dome crystal onto my '86 1016.

What a difference it makes compared to the RSC beveled service crystal!

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

Just installed NOS Rolex T22 dome crystal onto my '86 1016.

What a difference it makes compared to the RSC beveled service crystal!

Wow. Can you take a few pure side view shots so we can see how far it domes up?

Also, where does one obtain a NOS T22 dome?

[vintagehartmann]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Wow. Can you take a few pure side view shots so we can see how far it domes up?

Also, where does one obtain a NOS T22 dome?

I would imagine it would look the same as yours, as you have the same T22 domed plexi?

As to where to obtain one, it was quite a long search, but I finally found someone who had an unused one in a sealed Rolex plastic sachet. When my watchmaker was installing it, he had such a large grin due how well it fit.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

I would imagine it would look the same as yours, as you have the same T22 domed plexi?

As to where to obtain one, it was quite a long search, but I finally found someone who had an unused one in a sealed Rolex plastic sachet. When my watchmaker was installing it, he had such a large grin due how well it fit.

LOL. Perhaps I'm confused or perhaps yours is different than mine?

When I look at your photos it almost looks like there is a round "bubble" whereas mine is mostly flat with a beveled-edge and then a gentle crest in the middle. The top photo is what mine looks like side-view. To me, the second photo, your's looks like the one in the back and mine the one in the front. Yours curves and sort of magnifies the numbers on the dial whereas mine has a sharper edge and flattens the dial from almost every angle. Or am I wrong?

The amount of photos of 1016's with different "dome" and "superdome" and "service" crystals is enough to give me a migraine. I've seen photos of Submariner's that have very round bubbling crystals, looks like someone shaved a corner of a ball off.

[vintagehartmann]

Fair enough. Well, due to the time now, the lighting isn't the best, but here they are: the plexi on the '86.

[Roger57]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

Just installed NOS Rolex T22 dome crystal onto my '86 1016.



What a difference it makes compared to the RSC beveled service crystal!

Looks stunning


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[T5AUS]

I wear this one almost as much as my 5512, un pretentious, no one ever knows I am wearing anything special. Dates to 1972 and a hacking movement, not sure of numbers, it's locked up at the moment, will try and find more photo's

[ilovewatchestoo]

Really amazing shots everyone.

[Black Bay Dan]

Here is mine. Cheers.

Dan

[acf321]

Great thread guys... Love it.

I just bought an achingly gorgeous 1980 1016 with one owner and papers. Watch is in the Uk still and I will not collect it until July...

Having said that, it is on Chrono 24 as the one owner with papers, and has a rather nice new khaki green nato. I have just bought an uber rare NOS 73860 / 580 end link band that is (i am told) the absolute correct band for the '80
Model yr. Can anyone confirm this re the 73860 and folded 7386, which I believe was last used in 75/76?

Mine has the t22 domed crystal, and a lovely caramel patina to the 369 and markers and hands. Original dial and hands.

Can't wait to get it... Loving this thread... Keep them coming!

Adam

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by acf321

Great thread guys... Love it.

I just bought an achingly gorgeous 1980 1016 with one owner and papers. Watch is in the Uk still and I will not collect it until July...

Having said that, it is on Chrono 24 as the one owner with papers, and has a rather nice new khaki green nato. I have just bought an uber rare NOS 73860 / 580 end link band that is (i am told) the absolute correct band for the '80
Model yr. Can anyone confirm this re the 73860 and folded 7386, which I believe was last used in 75/76?

Mine has the t22 domed crystal, and a lovely caramel patina to the 369 and markers and hands. Original dial and hands.

Can't wait to get it... Loving this thread... Keep them coming!

Adam

The bracelet is correct for that year, the 78360 started appearing in Rolex catalogs for the Explorer and several other Sport models in 1977 or so. My 1960 1016 (above) had its last Rolex service in 1979 and was fitted with a 78360 by Rolex themselves. 78360's have date code stamps, you can ask the seller for a photo and someone here can decipher its date of manufacture if you like.

What you've purchased is correct for 1980. 1016 + 78360 + 580. You are good to go.

[vintagemyk]

Nice 1016's!

[HFLO]

just love it, simple and very pleasing...
serial 4.1m, mid-70s

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by HFLO

just love it, simple and very pleasing...
serial 4.1m, mid-70s

A beauty! Welcome to the thread.

[acf321]

Welcome HFLO... that is a true thing of beauty right there!!!

Speedo, thanks again for your insightful comments there re the band. I bought BOTH a mint 7386 and a NOS never used 78360 / 580, so now I have the mint 7386 that I presume i'll be looking to move on. Interestingly, I asked the vendor for the date of the 78630 / 580 and he said he did not know, as they don't have a date. I will however (when I can work out how to attach a photo to this thing) inset some pics of both the watch and the NOS 78360 / 580 still in it's OEM Rolex wrapper.

I just received a photo from my friend in the UK that collected the watch for me ... I just can't believe how magnificent it is ... and that's from a photo!

Speedo, can I trouble you to take a photo of the back of your watch, showing the relationship between the 580 end link and the outer ring of the case back? I had seen some photos that I thought showed the 580 links hitting the outer rim of the case back which did make me question is the 580 link was correct on a 1016. Proof now has it that it is, but I am wondering about the fitment.

[acf321]

Here she is ....

1980 one owner 1016, original dial and hands with original papers and domed T22 plexiglass crystal, caramel patina, missing bracelet however I have a NOS 78360 / 580 to go. Watch is at a friend house in the UK, so you like me can only know it from this photo until July! I hope it's as nice in person .. I suspect it is!

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by acf321

Welcome HFLO... that is a true thing of beauty right there!!!

Speedo, thanks again for your insightful comments there re the band. I bought BOTH a mint 7386 and a NOS never used 78360 / 580

Speedo, can I trouble you to take a photo of the back of your watch, showing the relationship between the 580 end link and the outer ring of the case back? I had seen some photos that I thought showed the 580 links hitting the outer rim of the case back which did make me question is the 580 link was correct on a 1016. Proof now has it that it is, but I am wondering about the fitment.

Don't worry about the back of the watch, the important thing is that the radius on the front of the watch marries perfectly.

[acf321]

Wow Speedo, that is perfect. Absolutely no reason to doubt that fitment and alignment, it's a marriage made in heaven.

Makes me feel much better knowing I now have a NOS 78360 + 580 in the mail on the way for my 1016.

Thanks for sharing this,

Adam