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Lol-x · 17 November 2005, 09:04 AM

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.

RogerF · 17 November 2005, 09:33 AM

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.

BruceS · 17 November 2005, 09:52 AM

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

mailman · 17 November 2005, 09:59 AM

Great story and beautiful watch.

Thanks for the pic.

molex · 17 November 2005, 10:21 AM

Awesome watch, just perfect!

Gedanken · 17 November 2005, 11:43 AM

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.

dman · 17 November 2005, 11:47 AM

WOW!! That is a beauty for sure.

JJ Irani · 17 November 2005, 03:57 PM

Great story, Lol-x,

Now do you wonder why I'm such a die-hard Rolex fan?

padi56 · 17 November 2005, 06:43 PM

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.

Lol-x · 30 May 2009, 12:29 PM

This is one of my most favorite dials.

BeeMee · 30 May 2009, 12:32 PM

How old is Vintage for the purposes of this forum?

T5AUS · 30 May 2009, 12:37 PM

Love the story Steve,

but to go through all that and then to have it stolen by some lo-life grub, dang, that sucks.

lobo58 · 30 May 2009, 12:38 PM

That may well be the Dial of All Time. Tough to top.

Tools · 31 May 2009, 12:45 AM

The Explorer 3-6-9- dial is possibly responsible for driving more enthusiasts to Rolex than any other dial...in my opinion.......

SLS · 31 May 2009, 04:22 AM

Great story & watch! I am on the look out for a 1016!
Scott

17 November 2005, 09:04 AM	#1
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,522	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..

17 November 2005, 09:59 AM	#4
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,498	Great story and beautiful watch. Thanks for the pic. __________________ JJ

17 November 2005, 10:21 AM	#5
molex "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 220	Awesome watch, just perfect! __________________ "Through the tool watch, Rolex became allied not just with dependability and accuracy, but with great human achievement." Vintage Rolex Sports Models Skeet & Urul

17 November 2005, 11:43 AM	#6
Gedanken "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Sir Location: Melbourne Watch: F-series SD Posts: 8,589	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. __________________ You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time.

17 November 2005, 11:47 AM	#7
dman Lifetime TRF Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Daren Location: Austin Watch: the road Posts: 13,585	WOW!! That is a beauty for sure. __________________ 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.

17 November 2005, 09:33 AM	#2
RogerF "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Duh! Location: Toronto Canada Watch: a gonna do? Posts: 2,573	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.

17 November 2005, 09:52 AM	#3
BruceS "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Sir Daft Location: Cornwall, UK Watch: Too many Posts: 2,464	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

17 November 2005, 03:57 PM	#8
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Great story, Lol-x, Now do you wonder why I'm such a die-hard Rolex fan? __________________ 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!!

17 November 2005, 06:43 PM	#9
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,987	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. __________________ 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

30 May 2009, 12:29 PM	#10
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,522	This is one of my most favorite dials. __________________ *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

30 May 2009, 12:32 PM	#11
BeeMee "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Barry Location: Florida Watch: Rolex GMT IIC Posts: 153	How old is Vintage for the purposes of this forum? __________________ 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)

30 May 2009, 12:37 PM	#12
T5AUS Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Watch: ing the time go by Posts: 1,444	Love the story Steve, but to go through all that and then to have it stolen by some lo-life grub, dang, that sucks.

30 May 2009, 12:38 PM	#13
lobo58 Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Mark Location: Masschusetts Watch: Omega Planet Ocean Posts: 399	That may well be the Dial of All Time. Tough to top.

31 May 2009, 12:45 AM	#14
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,473	The Explorer 3-6-9- dial is possibly responsible for driving more enthusiasts to Rolex than any other dial...in my opinion....... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

31 May 2009, 04:22 AM	#15
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	Great story & watch! I am on the look out for a 1016! Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

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