Advice on if to pull the trigger on a Exp 1 R Serial 1016?

[jackthelad]

Hi RTF members

Long time lurker First time poster , I was hesitating to ask for the Exp 1 Clubs advice on a 1987 Exp 1 R Serial 1016 which I found at one of my watch dealers I visit.

Advice on if to pull the trigger on a Exp 1 R Serial 1016?

The watch is very clean and face looks sharp and original to the year based on the research done here and on the web, there is a lovely slight colouring/ Patina starting to appear evenly across the hands and dial.

The 78360 Oyster bracelet has a nearly new/ hardly worn look with 508 End links which are accurate and the watch head at most has had a very light polishing.

The only questions are regards the acrylic/glass.... It seems on an R Series 1986-7> they used a flat acrylic rather than tropical domed 22 ?

Or could it be just the service replacement glass ?

There is the a very slight oil / rust coloured between 7-8 on the inner case under the glass, I believe will be able to be improved making the watch in good condition.

There is also a box but no papers.

This watch is really singing to me and have visited many times, with the owner allowing me to take a few (Poor Quality Pictures in the shop with my phone cam Sorry)

This would be my 1st Explorer and just love the look of a late 1016 which I think is better suited to my needs than an earlier 1016 and more aligned with budget of USD$6,000.

Would appreciate any advice on if this watch looks at all suspect ??
I have not bought from this dealer before, but do trust them and the have some nice pieces, and am asking for your guys thoughts and hope it is appropriate to ask for advice on this thread.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and any advice on if its a good deal?
Cheers

[jackthelad]

Hi

Any thoughts and any advice on if its a good deal?

Thinking of putting down a deposit tomorrow

[Gaijin]

Looks nice. It is rather old and would need a service so factor that in. What is his asking price?

[jackthelad]

Thanks for your thoughts

I would imagine it has just been oiled but would get a service done

USD$6,000

[padi56]

The last of the 1016 after one of the longest runs of any Rolex now the first Explorer type watch was the 6350 models big bubbleback with the A296 auto movement from early 1950s.Now Rolex had quite a few watches at this time with the mixed Roman and Arabics on dial in the 1940's on.But expeditions like the Mount Everest ones thats what made the Explorer more popular with clever marketing by Hans of Rolex.Later the 6150 came along slightly bigger by 2mm and lasted until late 1959.After it was replaced by the 6610 with the new Cal 1030 auto movement,but there were variations like the Airking Explorer 5500,and what they call the dress Explorers.And there were gold or SS dial signed Explorer but mainly then for Canadian market and UK.


Now around 1963 the Explorer changed again with one of the finest IMO movements Rolex has ever made the cal 1560.And model was renamed the 1016, this is Rolex longest production model.It ran from 1963 to 1989 the later models had the cal 1570 movement.Now this Cal 1570 was just a 1560 that now hacks stops second hand when you pull crown out.Now something very strange happened late 1989 the Explorer disappeared from the Rolex catalogues.But 6 months later it was back but now called the 14270,with a new case movement dial and Sapphire crystal.But the only thing it carried on from the 1016 was the hands and name, but now fitted with the new fast beat cal 3000,and the new up to date version with the model 114270

Now the price in the vintage collectors market is going up and IMHO if you can get hold of a good 1016,IMO it will only go up in value. A good collectors watch for the future the early Explorer type watches its as much as a Rolex icon IMHO as the Sub and is still a big part in Rolex history.
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[jackthelad]

Padi, Thanks so much for sharing this great knowledge with me, I think the trigger finger is itching

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

The last of the 1016 after one of the longest runs of any Rolex now the first Explorer type watch was the 6350 models big bubbleback with the A296 auto movement from early 1950s.Now Rolex had quite a few watches at this time with the mixed Roman and Arabics on dial in the 1940's on.But expeditions like the Mount Everest ones thats what made the Explorer more popular with clever marketing by Hans of Rolex.Later the 6150 came along slightly bigger by 2mm and lasted until late 1959.After it was replaced by the 6610 with the new Cal 1030 auto movement,but there were variations like the Airking Explorer 5500,and what they call the dress Explorers.And there were gold or SS dial signed Explorer but mainly then for Canadian market and UK.


Now around 1963 the Explorer changed again with one of the finest IMO movements Rolex has ever made the cal 1560.And model was renamed the 1016, this is Rolex longest production model.It ran from 1963 to 1989 the later models had the cal 1570 movement.Now this Cal 1570 was just a 1560 that now hacks stops second hand when you pull crown out.Now something very strange happened late 1989 the Explorer disappeared from the Rolex catalogues.But 6 months later it was back but now called the 14270,with a new case movement dial and Sapphire crystal.But the only thing it carried on from the 1016 was the hands and name, but now fitted with the new fast beat cal 3000,and the new up to date version with the model 114270

Now the price in the vintage collectors market is going up and IMHO if you can get hold of a good 1016,IMO it will only go up in value. A good collectors watch for the future the early Explorer type watches its as much as a Rolex icon IMHO as the Sub and is still a big part in Rolex history.
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So...that's a "buy" recommendation I think

[jackthelad]

Just have to negotiate with the wife and then the seller haha.

Thanks for all your comments, hope it will be pictures to come

[77T]

My thoughts are to have a money back return if RSC checks it and it comes up short in any category - originality, etc.

[jackthelad]

Good point, 77T is that throughout totally original

Face obviously and any restoration, but original glass is not a deal breaker is it ?

[77T]

No the acrylic needn't be original (and highly doubt that it is). But it should be OEM authentic.

I was more interested in the movement being period correct and not a different one never shipped with that reference. Or worng bracelet, etc.

[jackthelad]

Cheers for the heads up, yep I totally agree .

Will get that checked out at my RSC

The band and end links are accurate to the year of production
Yet to see the movement but as Padi56 posted should be 1570 Hacking, the second hand does stop . Really appreciate your advice and help guys.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jackthelad

Good point, 77T is that throughout totally original

Face obviously and any restoration, but original glass is not a deal breaker is it ?

Acrylic crystals are always changed as part of any Rolex service unless owner tells them not too, but then would doubt if Rolex would give a warranty.

[jackthelad]

Hi,

The trigger has been half cocked and have laid down a small deposit to keep it aside and funds to come in.

Have an agreement with the shop owner for RSC to authenticate it and if any major no no's will provide a full refund.

Will need to wait until end of the month but think I have a rather handsome watch

Cheers for all the tips so appreciated.

[jackthelad]

Hi Guy's Thanks for all your help so far ......The story continues, currently the watch is back with the vendor after 1st level authentication... awaiting an answer on the Serial number match from Rolex HQ which could take another week.

The RSC Service Manager has told me that the bracelet is a later edition to the watch or at least the clasp is a later addition.

The watch face and 1570 movement have been authenticated as original as well as the hands with the colour of hands and face evenly matching.

However after me shining the watch under a bright light and going into a dark room the minute hand (which has a crack down it ) is glowing. No other plots glow

Could it mean that the tritium on the minute hand still works (Glows) ? or that the minute hand is a luminova replacement ?

The RSC service manager has suggested that the case serial numbers look like the engraving is not smooth and although lacks a comparison , still has questions and is waiting to get case serial and model confirmation before full Serial number authentication which could take another week.

After reviewing on-line other serial number pics of similar year 1016 on R and L serials they look similar in the rougher engraving and were considered fully genuine and mint condition in every way.

Would really appreciate your advice on the Minute hand possibility of the tritium considering it has formed a crack (I am also aware that the half life of tritium is only 12 years makes me doubt this) but how can a replacement hand still match in colour ?

Also please may I ask you guys if anyone feels that a 1016 mid to late 1980's would have a rougher engraving than another model of a similar year, I have had it reviewed by another local watch dealer who says that it looks normal.

I do really like this watch but it is a real investment for me so ,but also want a watch that rings true.

Really hope to get any advice on if I should walk away from the deal based on

Bracelet (RSC Accurate model number but Replacement)
Minute hand ( Tritium ? Still Glowing ?)
Case Serial Numbers (Engraving looking not smooth , awaiting authentication)

Obviously if the serial numbers don't add up I will walk away, but are the possible hand replacement and bracelet are a deal breaker?

Sorry if it is hard to read my experience..... Certainly hard for me to document.. haha.... Look forward to any input or advice you may offer, it will help me to ease my nerves and give me peace of mind....

Cheers

[Billywiz]

Seems a little pricy?