1960 Rolex 1016 - At Least I Think It Is - Forensics Appreciated

[Nobody.Move]

Originally Posted by speedolex

this is intriguing. When did the 1016 first appear?

1963

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

1963

Well, see that's what a lot of sources have reported. I think this is clearly wrong but perhaps this is the first time it turns up in the brochures etc? I always thought it first appeared in 1961.


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[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

1963

Originally Posted by waspy1

Well, see that's what a lot of sources have reported. I think this is clearly wrong but perhaps this is the first time it turns up in the brochures etc? I always thought it first appeared in 1961.


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How is this possible if I have a serial number that dates to 1960 on the nose and the inside of my caseback is stamped 1016 and 'I 60' which indicates first quarter 1960 production?

[Old Expat Beast]

I always thought the 1016 first appeared in 1960.

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by speedolex

How is this possible if I have a serial number that dates to 1960 on the nose and the inside of my caseback is stamped 1016 and 'I 60' which indicates first quarter 1960 production?

Indeed, hence my surprise. Perhaps first made in 60 and sold in 61? As old expat beast states though, maybe they did actually appear on the market in 60. It's a very early one either way. The caseback does appear original but I'm not expert.


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[speedolex]

Originally Posted by waspy1

Indeed, hence my surprise. Perhaps first made in 60 and sold in 61? As old expat beast states though, maybe they did actually appear on the market in 60. It's a very early one either way. The caseback does appear original but I'm not expert.

Interesting. So the question:

Anyone know if a first-year 1016 is more valuable than a) mid-60s 1016's and/or b) 50s and 60s 6610's? The 6610 is the father of the 1016, but is a Year #1 1016 more valuable than later 1016's?

Ironically, I bought this watch to get away from the 'it's valuable' game, I just want a nice daily wearer. But....it runs like a top, keeps perfect time, and everything appears to be original except the dial and hands which I could eventually track down.

[waspy1]

If you can get a perfect 1016 with gilt track dial and hands then it may be worth close to 20k usd.

An average 6610 with correct everything will be about 15k usd upwards.

A red text 6610 will be 40k+




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[Nobody.Move]

"Appears"
You'll see reference books which site the first year of production as being 1963, and I believe that's the company's official date. Nevertheless, there are case backs (like the OP's) that have stamps as early as 1960. The earliest papers/guarantee card I've seen--although I haven't scoured the globe--is 1962. For sometime I've wondered when the 1016 was readily available for purchase, particularly in the U.S. market.
Anyone????

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

"Appears"
You'll see reference books which site the first year of production as being 1963, and I believe that's the company's official date. Nevertheless, there are case backs (like the OP's) that have stamps as early as 1960. The earliest papers/guarantee card I've seen--although I haven't scoured the globe--is 1962. For sometime I've wondered when the 1016 was readily available for purchase, particularly in the U.S. market.
Anyone????

So, clearly, I have the very first 1016 ever made. I now must prove this so I can trade it for a Daytona Panda.

[watchandbb]

mid 70s...

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Here is my 1990 "L" serial 1016.
I love this photo of it

Attachment 719753

That's a beauty, Steve.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

"Appears"
You'll see reference books which site the first year of production as being 1963, and I believe that's the company's official date. Nevertheless, there are case backs (like the OP's) that have stamps as early as 1960. The earliest papers/guarantee card I've seen--although I haven't scoured the globe--is 1962. For sometime I've wondered when the 1016 was readily available for purchase, particularly in the U.S. market.
Anyone????

According to this, the 1016 first appeared as early as 1959.

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

According to this, the 1016 first appeared as early as 1959.

Interesting but I would still take that with a grain of salt. The earliest 1016 did actually have a closed minute track so they aren't correct on that point either. Interesting that there is such a wide span of 59 to 63 though.


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[speedolex]

Originally Posted by watchandbb

mid 70s...

Sweet. Love it.

[Marrk]

Interesting to note that it ran the cal. 1530, too.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

According to this, the 1016 first appeared as early as 1959.

Interesting, I've seen '59's of the prior model, but haven't run into a 1016 from that year.

Originally Posted by waspy1

Interesting but I would still take that with a grain of salt. The earliest 1016 did actually have a closed minute track so they aren't correct on that point either. Interesting that there is such a wide span of 59 to 63 though.

I've looked for Rolex advertisements from '59 or even a sales brochure from that year, I couldn't locate one online. You'd think with all the Rolex aficionado's out there and how many of these millions of watches were shipped with catalogs someone would have one.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

You guys with your 1016s...I'm so jealous!

+1 - if I can only have one Rolex, this is it.

[Nobody.Move]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

According to this, the 1016 first appeared as early as 1959.

Adam, would you agree that the pictorial illustration of the 1959 Ref. 1016 is tres bizarre???

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

Adam, would you agree that the pictorial illustration of the 1959 Ref. 1016 is tres bizarre???

Well the example in the photo is clearly not from anywhere near 1959. 1959 would have OCC text, and a chapter ring dial.


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[speedolex]

Originally Posted by waspy1

Well the example in the photo is clearly not from anywhere near 1959. 1959 would have OCC text, and a chapter ring dial.

Is that book regarded as the bible on vintage Rolex or are there better sources of information?