Explorer 1, mark 2, 1972 pricing

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Hi everyone...

My prize possession, an Explorer 1, Mk. 2, bought around 1972, has prices which are all over the place. On eBay, there's a large Japanese dealer which has several for sale, priced either at $29,000 or $13,000 for what appears to be the same 1016 model, 1970s vintage.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11601913406...Bk9SR_bbzpOdZA

What are reasonable prices for this watch, without box or papers, but in superb condition? My watch has the locking Submariner style band, which given my outdoor activities, seemed like a good idea. The local Rolex Authorized Service Center put a lot of attention into tweaking everything "just so", including poising the balance wheel.

This watch even has the original style domed crystal, rather than the squared off version mandated by a service directive.

Most of these watches on eBay are marked 7% off, etc., as prices sage somewhat. Given the original purchase price of $100, the return has been positive, but of course the main point is it's fun to wear for special occasions and good luck. :)

[Dan S]

You sound quite knowledgable about watches, so you are probably aware that proper valuation is done using sale prices not asking prices. I would suggest starting with auction sales from the past year or so, as prices have dropped from previous highs. You can also look at forum listings, although you won't know the exact sale price.

For comps, I wouldn't worry too much about dial variations for the 1016, but obviously you want to focus on matte dials, as glossy dial 1016 prices are in a different category. Also, you would need to adjust for any non-original service parts, condition issues, etc.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by Dan S

You sound quite knowledgable about watches, so you are probably aware that proper valuation is done using sale prices not asking prices. I would suggest starting with auction sales from the past year or so, as prices have dropped from previous highs. You can also look at forum listings, although you won't know the exact sale price.

For comps, I wouldn't worry too much about dial variations for the 1016, but obviously you want to focus on matte dials, as glossy dial 1016 prices are in a different category. Also, you would need to adjust for any non-original service parts, condition issues, etc.

^^^THIS^^^

I would just add its an Explorer, not an Explorer 1...and just because we love images, here is a shot of mine c1974 :)

[Haywood_Milton]

@ cajuntiger regarding the enduring myth that the term "Explorer 1" is incorrect, please consider the following which includes extensive primary evidence that might change your opinion :

https://www.miltonaires.com/4670/is-...-www-tz-uk-com

I'll add a picture of one of mine for some colour, too :



Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[Old Expat Beast]

Explorer I, not 1.

Catalogues from 1977 and 1983 for further reference.

[TuRo]

For me its :

6098, 6298, 6150, 6350, 6610, 5500, 5504, 1016 = EXPLORER

14270, 114270, 214270, 124270, 224270* = EXPLORER I

Of course there was no EXPLORER II until 1971, so for me the reason 'I' and 'II' surfaced in booklets etc, somewhat belatedly, was a needed delineator of the 2 style of pieces.

* Latest 2 or 3 models I think Rolex have dropped using the 'I' I note on Websites and Catalogues.

PS matte on a bracelet start at £10k in uk - in my book all the mattes are circa same price, ceteris paribus.

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Thank you!

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Yes, you're right... Explorer...

[Nicholas Bedworth]

Ooops... all my images are a few megabytes...

[Nicholas Bedworth]

[TuRo]

One I use....

https://imgbb.com/ is a good one. Order of operations are as follows:

Click 'Start Uploading'
Select the photos
Click green 'Upload' button
Click the 'Embed Codes' dropdown button
Select "BBCode full linked"
Copy the code/copy that populates the grey box
Go back to this thread and paste into the message box
Click 'Submit Reply'

[Nicholas Bedworth]

The lume on the hands has aged faster than the dial lume... per the Vintage Rolex Buyer's Guidance, this is what one would expect and it's a sign of original parts. Notice that the minute hand does quite make it very far towards the markings on the chapter ring. There seems to be considerable variation in the size of the hands.

Now, in my watch, the printing on the dial is slightly eccentric. That is, the end of the second hand sticks much farther towards the chapter ring at the 12 o'clock position, compared to the 6 o'clock position.

The things one notices with 10x loupe in hand...

And in terms of nomenclature, note that the Explorer I name seems to be used in Rolex literature. They're not entirely consistent over the years...

[Nicholas Bedworth]

That's a nice one!

[TuRo]

Tbh it doesn't have a chapter ring from what I can see.... as all white/matte are non-chapter ring.

I think what your seeing is an odd ill-fitting gap, (rehaut to dial edge), at the bottom of the dial - could be photo reflection, any others please - that makes it look like a chapter ring (the top of photo it doesn't of course as expected).

If not photo anomaly, unusual as the minute markers are same length top and bottom, as if wrongly aligned, I'd expect the say 57,58, 01,02 etc etc to be shorter minute markers if so. Interesting point you make about the apparent eccentric nature of dial too..

I've not had a chance to look at 1016 site dials to check it as yet btw. Edit - looks akin to a MK2 as you stated earlier.

https://explorer1016.com/matte/mark-2/

Anyone else care to opine please ?

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

@ cajuntiger regarding the enduring myth that the term "Explorer 1" is incorrect, please consider the following which includes extensive primary evidence that might change your opinion :

https://www.miltonaires.com/4670/is-...-www-tz-uk-com

I'll add a picture of one of mine for some colour, too :



Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

I would argue that was a marketing change made after both models were available in the catalog...I have always (right or wrong) referred to the 1016 and and earlier references as just Explorer. What a lovely example btw!!

[Nicholas Bedworth]

You're correct of course about the lack of chapter ring on the 1016 Explorer Mark II.

The trick seems to be that the loupe needs to be exactly perpindicular to the dial, and in this arrangement, the variation in overlapping of the second and minutes hand with the radial markings is considerably reduced, but still apparent. "Apparent" may be the operative word.

Perhaps without the crystal (this is the original style T22 domed version) which has varying refraction radially, everything would be obviously spot on. To my eye, the domed T22 harmonizes much better than the flattish service crystal, even though it shows the dial more clearly.

This all got started using the guidelines for determining authenticity, and the admonishment to look out for short hands, etc. In my case, both second and minute hands overlap the markings the way they should.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/foun...plorer.128272/

[MrBlobby]

I think you are all wrong about the names. There is;

Explorer No I
Explorer One I
Explorer Two Is