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#1 |
Facilitator
Join Date: Nov 2005
Real Name: Steve
Location: Omnipresent
Posts: 33,346
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Rolex 1016
The legendary 1016 has a lot of accolades, also there was a lot of marketing of the early model Explorer in being worn or used in an expedition to the top of Mt. Everest.
Notably Rolex, in a mid 1980's publication, recites a testamonial letter sent to it in 1976 from a military officer who being one person who in only 3% of the US Army had successfully endured the 9 week Ranger Course at West Point and who stated of his 1016 Explorer: "I cannot adequately describe the severe abuse my watch was subjected to in the course of the 9 weeks involved. Pounded on obstacle courses and confidence tests; battered in day-after-day of patrolling mountains, jungles, and swamp; immersed for extended periods in mud, river, and ocean; jolted in rappels from cliffsides and helicopters......My Rolex never failed. It was often the only watch available, as others were reluctant to wear theirs, or had already broken them." Yes, (I kid you not) I can say that is a true story, I have personally spoken to the now Colonel, Director of Staff, NATO Joint Forces Command, Naples Italy, who until yesterday didn't even know Rolex published his 1976 letter. Since the 1976 letter the Colonel's Explorer endured numerous other rugged encounters, and never missed a beat (until it was stolen in the 1990's). Thank you Colonel, incredible story. As a tribute here is a photo of my 1990 ("L" serial) 1016 Explorer. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by Lol-x; 17 November 2005 at 07:31 PM.. |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Duh!
Location: Toronto Canada
Watch: a gonna do?
Posts: 2,573
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WOW!!!!!!!!! A Beaut! I am loving my "younger brother" of yours so much that I cant begin to imagine what it would like to live with one of those for a few years..... time will tell as my love grows everytime I put on my explorer.
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Real Name: Sir Daft
Location: Cornwall, UK
Watch: Too many
Posts: 2,464
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Great story and a beautiful Explorer you have there! Thanks for posting
![]() I recall a story a US soldier in Iraq posted on TZ about his Seadweller and how he and it, survived his armored vehicle hitting a roadside bomb. If I recall, he was blown against the back of the vehicle. His watch survived with some bruises (him too). His buddy was wearing a Tag and the crystal blew out of it. That's about all I remember of the story, but it was a true testimate to the toughness of a Rolex!! Cheers, Bruce |
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#4 |
TRF Moderator & DATE-JUST41 2024 Patron
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: .
Watch: 126610LN
Posts: 35,429
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Great story and beautiful watch.
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JJ |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: California
Posts: 220
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Awesome watch, just perfect!
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"Through the tool watch, Rolex became allied not just with dependability and accuracy, but with great human achievement." Vintage Rolex Sports Models Skeet & Urul |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: Sir
Location: Melbourne
Watch: F-series SD
Posts: 8,589
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Great story, LOL-x, and not surprising at all. I've seen G-Shocks and all manner of so-called tough watches fall by the wayside in the course of combat training - a one-year-old Casio would be considered a veteran.
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You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time. |
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#7 |
Lifetime TRF Patron
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: Daren
Location: Austin
Watch: the road
Posts: 13,585
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WOW!! That is a beauty for sure.
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You either get it or you don't, if you have to ask, YOU DON'T!! ![]() I really hope that midget cop doesn't find me in Kokomo. ![]() |
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#8 |
Fondly Remembered
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
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Great story, Lol-x,
Now do you wonder why I'm such a die-hard Rolex fan? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! ![]() I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!! |
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#9 |
"TRF" Life Patron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 52,762
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Agree the 1016 is now a Rolex legend,but still great debate whether the Rolex Explorer, or the Smiths Everest, was on the summit of Mt Everest.
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder ![]() |
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#10 |
Facilitator
Join Date: Nov 2005
Real Name: Steve
Location: Omnipresent
Posts: 33,346
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This is one of my most favorite dials.
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Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~Abraham Lincoln Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim ![]() |
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: USA
Watch: ing the time go by
Posts: 1,444
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Love the story Steve,
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Barry
Location: Florida
Watch: Rolex GMT IIC
Posts: 153
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How old is Vintage for the purposes of this forum?
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Rolex GMT IIC SS, Tudor Grantour Chrono, 18K/SS, Breitling "Old" Navitimer", SS. Rolex Day-Date, Bark Finish (recently gifted to son #2) Rolex Daytona, 18K/SS (recently gifted to son #1) |
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: Mark
Location: Masschusetts
Watch: Omega Planet Ocean
Posts: 399
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That may well be the Dial of All Time. Tough to top.
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#14 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,342
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The Explorer 3-6-9- dial is possibly responsible for driving more enthusiasts to Rolex than any other dial...in my opinion.......
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(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Scott
Location: GMT -7
Watch: GMT's & Sub's
Posts: 10,399
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Great story & watch! I am on the look out for a 1016!
Scott
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"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922 |
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