Rolex Explorer 1016, of all of the brand’s sport watches, has always been the under watch in the brand’s lineup. Compared to heavyweights such as the Submariner, GMT, and Daytona, the Explorer has always ranked as understated, underappreciated, underexposed, and, one could argue, “under-updated”. Released in 1963, the 1016 basically soldiered on through 1989 (some say 1990) with very few updates aside from a move away from gilt to matte dial, a change from non-hacking 1560 to hacking 1570 movement, and the ultimate addition of a solid bracelet. More replica Rolex Explorer.
Rolex Explorer 1016 did contain notable upgrades versus the similarly cased Datejust and it received enhancements versus its predecessor, the Explorer 6610. The greatest difference found in the Explorer was its water resistance to 100m. This was actually double all other non-sports Rolexes and was achieved via a thicker domed acrylic crystal and a round (cross-sectional) case back gasket. 1603’s as an example used an edged crystal and a flat gasket. Another small, but thoughtful difference found on the 1016 was the inclusion of slightly thicker, more robust, spring bars.
The dial on this Rolex Explorer 1016 is absolutely perfect and like so many R and L-series pieces, it exhibits no aging. It doesn’t glow at all, but it’s crisp white and matches the hands beautifully. Everything on the dial is printed and in the case of the numbers, covered in tritium. The printed dial font looks like something out of the 1960’s for sure and as said in my initial paragraph, must have looked positively dated by the late 80’s – but, certainly not passé.
Rolex Explorer 1016 did contain notable upgrades versus the similarly cased Datejust and it received enhancements versus its predecessor, the Explorer 6610. The greatest difference found in the Explorer was its water resistance to 100m. This was actually double all other non-sports Rolexes and was achieved via a thicker domed acrylic crystal and a round (cross-sectional) case back gasket. 1603’s as an example used an edged crystal and a flat gasket. Another small, but thoughtful difference found on the 1016 was the inclusion of slightly thicker, more robust, spring bars.
The dial on this Rolex Explorer 1016 is absolutely perfect and like so many R and L-series pieces, it exhibits no aging. It doesn’t glow at all, but it’s crisp white and matches the hands beautifully. Everything on the dial is printed and in the case of the numbers, covered in tritium. The printed dial font looks like something out of the 1960’s for sure and as said in my initial paragraph, must have looked positively dated by the late 80’s – but, certainly not passé.
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