42 Rolex An esteemed and rare, Explorer, automatic wristwatch in steel, with black gilt exclamation point dial, box and guarantee, reference 1016.
Estimate: € 12.000 – 24.000
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| model | Explorer |
|---|---|
| year | 1964 |
| reference | 1016 |
| case material | Stainless steel |
| case number | 1'054'660 |
| bracelet material | Stainless steel Rolex bracelet, approximate length 190mm |
| movement type | Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels |
| dimension | 36mm Diameter |
| signed | Case, dial and movement |
| accessories | Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Chronométrie Philippe Béguin, dated 26th April 1965 and fitted presentation box. |
Few watches are as deeply woven into the fabric of 20th-century exploration as the Rolex Explorer. Launched in 1953 and famously tied to Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s Everest ascent, the Explorer line crystallized Rolex’s vision of a tool watch built not just for function, but for history. Among the many references produced, the Explorer ref. 1016 is by far the most enduring — in both form and reputation. Produced from 1960 through 1989, it is one of the longest-running Rolex references ever made. The present example is a particularly early and desirable execution of the reference, featuring a glossy black gilt dial with warm, gold-tone text and the signature Explorer 3-6-9 Arabic configuration. Of particular note is the highly sought-after “exclamation point” just below the 6 o’clock marker — a subtle, almost whispered signature of the transitional period from radium to tritium. For collectors, the 1016 is often viewed as the purest form of the Explorer — devoid of unnecessary embellishment and designed for the wrist of a world in motion. This particular piece, accompanied by original box and warranty, captures that spirit entirely.
Condition Report
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