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.

[sillo]

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

[willski]

More more! Need more inspiration...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vintagehartmann]

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

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

[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

[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.

[vintagehartmann]

And this is the plexi on the '72:

[vintagehartmann]

and '72 in the background first, and then the '86 in the background:

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

and '72 in the background first, and then the '86 in the background:

Great shots, really great.

Do both of your watches have the same crystal? Neither looks like mine. Mine has a definite edge and then a topper that gradually rises in the middle. I think I have a RSC service crystal. Yours goes rising immediately from the bezel and curves like someone sliced off the top of a rubber ball and is casting different relfections and has a different look.

[vintagehartmann]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Great shots, really great.

Do both of your watches have the same crystal? Neither looks like mine. Mine has a definite edge and then a topper that gradually rises in the middle. I think I have a RSC service crystal. Yours goes rising immediately from the bezel and curves like someone sliced off the top of a rubber ball and is casting different relfections and has a different look.

I think so, as they look similar. The '72 one came with that dome.

Here is the packet the domed one for the '86 came in,
and the red packet is a service beveled one.
The final picture is the '86 with the service crystal before the domed one was installed.

[ilovewatchestoo]

Really amazing shots everyone.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

I think so, as they look similar. The '72 one came with that dome. Here is the packet the domed one for the '86 came in,
and the red packet is a service beveled one.
The final picture is the '86 with the service crystal before the domed one was installed.

Perfect. I've concluded that I have a service crystal with a beveled edge. I've done some interweb research (how official) and learned that crystals for the 1016 are all called "T22" but the 1960-1990 T22 was fully domed (like your new replacement) and the post-1990 RSC replacement T22 was beveled with a less dramatic dome (like mine).

Interesting exchange here, the thoughts of someone on the subject are food for thought:

Vintage Domed Crystal Tropic 22

Pro:

-would give a nice and special reflection on the outer edge of the glass in certain lighting conditions

-the soft edges would magnify a bit more the dials indices, strokes. Elongating them a bit in certain viewing angles. Is also considered as a positive special result.

Con:

-dial and overall appearance of the watch is much bulkier. Dial appears smaller than it really is.

-Not so elegant crystal parameters with that fat dome


Modern Service Crystal Tropic 22

Pro:

-clear vision of the dial in as good as all viewing angles. Almost no distortions.

-the minimal dome gives some special reflections in certain viewing angles

-more precise, thin appearance corresponding to the Explorer style

Con:

-the precise beveled edge is easy damaged/scratched if not that careful when worn.

-The domed crystal too, but as the edge is soft it can be polished better.


Discussion and photos here:

https://rwg.cc/topic/174395-vintage-1016-dome-or-bevel

[speedolex]

First photo of my 1016 rockin' the proper 580 end pieces for the 78360 bracelet, freshly installed today.

Might look subtle, but it's all about the details, isn't it? The prior 501B end pieces looked good but the curvature is ever so slightly off and the gaps at the ends were bothering me.

[Don Valley]

Here's mine, 1978 and going strong.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Don Valley

Here's mine, 1978 and going strong.

Nice! Another tropic dome. Got to get me one.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Nice! Another tropic dome. Got to get me one.

Dome >

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by sillo38

Dome >

I've got an appointment with Michael Young in Hong Kong at the end of the month, going to get a T22 domed tropical crystal installed to replace my RSC version.

That is, if I can see one in person first to make a sound decision. Anyone near the NY/NJ Metropolitan area want a free cup of Starbucks in exhange for their 1016 with T22 dome let me know.

[Snoodles]

Great thread, I agree not a lot of info on 1016's!

Just landed a Frog Foot 1016 which has a service Plexi and has the old Plexi and parts as it was serviced in Oct 2014 by an AD but left unpolished! Trying to work out if the old Plexi is non service one, hard to tell!

Will post some pics up soon, if anyone has a T22 Superdome surplus please let me know...;@)

[Black Bay Dan]

Here is mine. Cheers.

Dan