Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1989 Reference No: 1016 Movement No: D668104 Case No: L'466'469 Model Name: Explorer Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped N7 Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Guarantee dated February 20, 1990, original receipt dated February 20, 1990, product literature, wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Made in the last year of this model's production period, this Explorer is offered in virtually "New Old Stock" condition. Barely worn throughout its lifetime, the present watch has never been polished. Even more remarkable is the original factory sticker that is present on the caseback. The dial is also preserved in an equally impressive state, displaying no signs of tarnishing or spotting. Interestingly, "L Series" 1016 dials display luminous '3-6-9' numerals that are slightly thicker and fatter, similar to that of early generation "Fat Font" matte 1016 numerals.
Complete with its original punched guarantee stating it was sold at Luigi Verga in Milan, it even retains the original sales receipt from 1990 and fitted presentation box with the "1016" sticker on the side.
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.