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Thoughts on this Rolex Explorer 1016

rcs914
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I am not a Rolex novice even, but the idea that a dial with that level of printing could be called ANYTHING other than a redial at best or a complete shoddy fake at worst is laughable. That printing is on the level of one of the old Lucerne chrome cased skin diver watches - it's atrocious and the idea that anyone would be trying to sell that as "100% original" is utterly ludicrous.
 
CoDiffe
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I agree with the earlier assessment that leeway must be given as to the thickness of the font on the dial. I’ve seen very fine to thicker fonts for many of the MK1-5 variants.

As to this example - at the very least this is a badly done touch up.
 
CoDiffe
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The 1016 is such an amazing and enjoyable watch. I hope you find a great example!
 
rcs914
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
The dial looks like one of the raffles dials he sold before he stopped selling the fake branded ones. These were abundant in the “mod” forums a few years back

I went and looked at some of those Raffles and other dials, and frankly they are all of better quality than this abomination. Who the hell would spend $17K on that? I mean maybe it's from 5:05PM on a Friday at the dial printer in Geneva?

Like I said, I'm not even a novice, but I can't imagine something that shitty looking ever coming out of the Rolex factory. Also how the hell is a 1980's watch supposed to have tritium that aged to 1960s colors?
 
Donn Chambers
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rcs914 rcs914
I went and looked at some of those Raffles and other dials, and frankly they are all of better quality than this abomination. Who the hell would spend $17K on that? I mean maybe it's from 5:05PM on a Friday at the dial printer in Geneva?

Like I said, I'm not even a novice, but I can't imagine something that shitty looking ever coming out of the Rolex factory. Also how the hell is a 1980's watch supposed to have tritium that aged to 1960s colors?

This example just goes to show how many novice buyers with too much money are inundating the vintage watch market and
driving up prices by purchasing examples like this. Now someone with a truly excellent 1016 from that era is going to be asking $20k — and probably getting it.

Good for those selling watches, not for those buying. Looks like I’ll never have a 1016 now.
 
Thommas
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
This example just goes to show how many novice buyers with too much money are inundating the vintage watch market and
driving up prices by purchasing examples like this. Now someone with a truly excellent 1016 from that era is going to be asking $20k — and probably getting it.

Good for those selling watches, not for those buying. Looks like I’ll never have a 1016 now.

I fear that the era of $20k 80's 1016s is already upon us. The real worry is that lesser examples with doubtful/manipulated parts are getting closer and closer in value. I didn't think this auction would go much higher than $10-12k and believed it might go to someone who owns or can source a better dial— but you are right, there now is a market for high spenders with little understanding or care of quality and originality, that just just want to own a vintage Explorer, that can be recognized as such.
 
JwRosenthal
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As much as I have always wanted a 1016, I think a 5 year old Mini Cooper S would bring more smiles for that kind of money.
 
rcs914
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
As much as I have always wanted a 1016, I think a 5 year old Mini Cooper S would bring more smiles for that kind of money.

I was going to say "Or an S2000" except those now seem to cost as much as a Porsche 911 from the same year, if not more.
 
blubarb
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It's good that you posted first before pulling the trigger. That dial is atrocious and the moment I saw the coloured-up marshmallow lume the words "fake" &/or "Franken" jumped at me. Canuck nailed the movement issue and the dial is a mess of what someone thinks a 1016 dial should look like. I wish I could add more but suffice to say, I just wanted to tip my hat to your decision to post for comments. I guess we could call this a real pirates watch...full of strange Rrrrrrrsss (sorry, couldn't resist @t_swiss_t ). I have come late to the party, but I am hoping eBay has been made aware of this item and has hopefully notified the buyer before they sent any payment.

ps. the lume colour looks like a nasty growth collected from Homer Simpsons back.
Edited:
 
Canuck
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Thommas Thommas
Sold for $17,300 (not to me!)

upload_2021-8-28_0-58-5.png


And to think I sold a virtually new old stock Rolex Explorer 25 years ago, for $900.00! Canadian, at that! I sold it to a “friend” who rhapsodized about how magnificent it was, and that he would love it forever. He phoned me several years later and told me he had an offer of $5,000 for it, but he would be happy to sell it back to me for $4,000. I told him I hoped the lume showed when I hold him where to stuff it!
 
philips
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Personally, if I was in the market for a 1016 and was in the US, I would go to a reputable dealer like Eric Wind or HQ Milton.
 
CoDiffe
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philips philips
Personally, if I was in the market for a 1016 and was in the US, I would go to a reputable dealer like Eric Wind or HQ Milton.

Interestingly enough - I reached out to Eric Wind (well actually his assistant) requesting help finding a 1016 and she asked me what my price range was. I told her $17-20k and she gave me a few options on dealers they recommend. Basically said they don't help people for less than $20k.

Her actual email to me:

I would suggest you take a look at the vintage watches available on Hodinkee as we wholesale most of our sub-20k watches through them.
You can also keep an eye on Bob's Watches, Menta and Tropical Watch as well as Chrono24. These are all reputable dealers who will be able to answer any questions you may have about watches they have listed.
Wishing you the best of luck with your search and I hope this helps !
 
Thommas
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CoDiffe CoDiffe
Interestingly enough - I reached out to Eric Wind (well actually his assistant) requesting help finding a 1016 and she asked me what my price range was. I told her $17-20k and she gave me a few options on dealers they recommend. Basically said they don't help people for less than $20k.

Her actual email to me:

I would suggest you take a look at the vintage watches available on Hodinkee as we wholesale most of our sub-20k watches through them.
You can also keep an eye on Bob's Watches, Menta and Tropical Watch as well as Chrono24. These are all reputable dealers who will be able to answer any questions you may have about watches they have listed.
Wishing you the best of luck with your search and I hope this helps !


Very interesting, thank you for that insight! There actually is a 1969 Frog foot 1016 listed on Hodinkee at the moment. It was first listed nearly a month ago, and I believe sold, then listed again earlier this week. It's listed for $19,500 and has been available for purchase for at least 3 days this week, which on Hodinkee time is almost years, given how fast desirable references fly off the shelf when they get listed there.

Again, far from a perfect example. The later bracelet, wear on the case and engraving are probably deterring buyers looking for their grail watch. The fact it's been listed twice probably make it look a bit stale as well. Curious as to what others think of this specific example? Overpriced? Sub-par condition/originality? Will it sell again by the end of the week? You would think it being listed on the 'dink would be a reassurance for buyers and worth spending a couple $k above an eBay listing with superlative epithets as only guarantees.

upload_2021-9-3_15-27-40.png upload_2021-9-3_15-27-57.png upload_2021-9-3_15-28-18.png upload_2021-9-3_15-28-37.png upload_2021-9-3_15-28-57.png
 
philips
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CoDiffe CoDiffe
Interestingly enough - I reached out to Eric Wind (well actually his assistant) requesting help finding a 1016 and she asked me what my price range was. I told her $17-20k and she gave me a few options on dealers they recommend. Basically said they don't help people for less than $20k.

Her actual email to me:

I would suggest you take a look at the vintage watches available on Hodinkee as we wholesale most of our sub-20k watches through them.
You can also keep an eye on Bob's Watches, Menta and Tropical Watch as well as Chrono24. These are all reputable dealers who will be able to answer any questions you may have about watches they have listed.
Wishing you the best of luck with your search and I hope this helps !
That's very interesting, thanks for the reply and info.
 
vibe
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A dealer I have worked with and highly recommend has a nice service dial + hands 1016. The prices have really gone crazy, but this one is quite nice.
http://oysterpalace.com/
rolex-explorer-1016-service.dial-596xxx-oysterpalace-OP1528-01.jpg
 
Thommas
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vibe vibe
A dealer I have worked with and highly recommend has a nice service dial + hands 1016. The prices have really gone crazy, but this one is quite nice.
http://oysterpalace.com/
rolex-explorer-1016-service.dial-596xxx-oysterpalace-OP1528-01.jpg

Thank you for sharing! However I personally would have very little reason to buy a $12k watch with a luminova service dial and replacement hands that are too short and dull looking. The dial and patina’d tritium lume makes all the charm of the 1016. I don’t see the prices for nice vintage pieces become more reasonable anytime soon so it might be time to consolidate, save up and bite the bullet to acquire a premium example.
Edited:
 
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