109
Rolex
Ref. 1016
Explorer
A rare and very attractive stainless steel automatic wristwatch with center seconds, black lacquer dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- CHF12,000 - 18,000€11,100 - 16,700$13,100 - 19,600
CHF22,680
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1960
- Reference No
- 1016
- Movement No
- 32'581
- Case No
- 516'584
- Model Name
- Explorer
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1680, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex oyster expandable bracelet stamped "280" to the endlinks, max length 215mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "2 55"
- Dimensions
- 36mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by original Rolex International Service Guarantee, service documents Rolex Greece and fitted presentation box
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
On May 29 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest. Both gentlemen wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch during this endeavour. The pieces were designed by Rolex to withstand the extreme conditions encountered during the ascent, and are effectively the prototypes of one of Rolex’s most beloved models: the Explorer.
In the fifties, six different Explorer references were launched, but it is reference 1016, launched at the end of the decade, that is now considered the most classic vintage incarnation of the Explorer. In production for over 20 years, the model features several aesthetic and mechanical variations. The present specimen is a representative of the highly coveted “glossy dial” category, and furthermore features an exceedingly well-preserved dial, without any mark or scratch whatsoever.
In the fifties, six different Explorer references were launched, but it is reference 1016, launched at the end of the decade, that is now considered the most classic vintage incarnation of the Explorer. In production for over 20 years, the model features several aesthetic and mechanical variations. The present specimen is a representative of the highly coveted “glossy dial” category, and furthermore features an exceedingly well-preserved dial, without any mark or scratch whatsoever.
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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