815
Rolex
Ref. 1016
Explorer
A rare and fine stainless steel wristwatch with black lacquer dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 200,000€13,200 - 22,000$15,400 - 25,600
HK$175,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1964
- Reference No
- 1016
- Movement No
- 42'820
- Case No
- 1‘053’641, inside caseback stamped i.64
- Model Name
- Explorer
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 80, max length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 1.62
- Dimensions
- 36mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
An early tool watch from the Rolex brand made for mountaineers, the reference 1016 today is a classic watch with a cool clean aesthetic. The black lacquered dial of the early examples, features gilt printing and their now signature 3-6-9 numeral layout. The first Explorer was launching in 1953, following the legendary ascent of Hillary and Norgay on Mount Everest. The reference 1016 was introduced in 1963 replacing the earlier reference 6610.
The present watch is a superb example with clean dial and luminous markers that have beautifully aged and now perfectly match the tone of the hands. The Explorer has become a highly sought after vintage Rolex due to its timeless elegance and rugged durability. This is an attractive example and sure to please all watch enthusiast.
The present watch is a superb example with clean dial and luminous markers that have beautifully aged and now perfectly match the tone of the hands. The Explorer has become a highly sought after vintage Rolex due to its timeless elegance and rugged durability. This is an attractive example and sure to please all watch enthusiast.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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