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.