Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1964 Reference No: 1016 Case No: 1'042'137 Model Name: Explorer Material: Stainless Steel Calibre: Automatic, 1550 Bracelet/Strap: Suede strap Clasp/Buckle: Associated buckle Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed, case back further stamped II. 64
Catalogue Essay
The successor to the Rolex Explorer reference 6610, the 1016 was produced beginning in 1963 and continued to evolve until 1989. With the 1016, Rolex doubled the Explorer’s water resistance from 50 meters to 100 meters. Rolex also updated the text on the dial, changing the “Officially Certified Chronometer” text found on the 6610 to “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”. The present watch is a desirable early example manufactured in 1964. It’s fitted with its original and stunning, glossy black dial with gilt (gold colored) printing. The dial’s luminous hour markers have beautifully aged, perfectly matching the color found on its original luminous hands.
Founded 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.