Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: SIX New York Saturday, June 11, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1962
    Reference No: 1016
    Movement No: D99’116
    Case No: 745’289, case interior stamped ii.62
    Model Name: Explorer
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 58, overall length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 1.61
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Simplicity is often the most elegant form of design, and Rolex’s Explorer is one of the brand’s most iconic and successful timepieces thanks to its minimalist, ‘3-6-9’ dial, robust, 36 mm Oyster case, and superb wearability. The Explorer was launched in 1953 to celebrate the ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay. As with most iconic vintage watches today, the Explorer originated as a tool watch marketed to mountaineers with their strong, durable case and highly legible dial.

    Rolex continued to evolve the design, and in the early 1960s introduced the reference 1016 with an upgraded movement, the caliber 1570, incorporating a hacking feature. This lovely reference 1016 from 1962 features its original and unrestored galvanic black dial retaining its wonderful glossy surface and gilt print. The luminous indexes have aged to a pleasing light brown hue, giving it an unmistakable vintage character. Combined with its well-preserved case and riveted Oyster bracelet, this watch is a highly collectible and attractive variant of the iconic Explorer that is sure to please.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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150

Ref. 1016
An early and highly attractive stainless steel wristwatch with “glossy gilt” dial and bracelet

1962
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$6,000 - 12,000 
CHF6,000-11,900
€5,800-11,500
HK$47,100-94,200
S$8,400-16,700

Sold for $18,900

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

Isabella Proia

Head of Sale, New York

+1 (212) 940 1285

iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: SIX

New York Auction 11-12 June 2022