Rolex Explorer 1016 (1967) thoughts please

[Ozboy]

Hi all, can I get your opinions on this particular example please.

Serial # 15900xx

Am I correct thinking that the dial is not original and might be a Mark 5 service dial?

Thank you all in advance.

[TimeToGo]

.
Good info below, should answer your question:

https://explorer1016.com/dial-catalogue/

[Lol-x]

It does look like a service dial to me because of the font on the numbers being so thick and bold. To me that was common in the late 1980's and not in the late 1960's.

Also the condition of the lume on the dial is excellent and I would expect much more aging to be apparent on a dial from 1967.

[TuRo]

Yes service, and this is a Mark 3 matte dial.

Used on production pieces of 3.6-4.1 million, 8 mill and R L S year pieces, and more importantly as the most common Tritium service dials for a long, long period.... but before 2001.

It's not a mark 5 btw as the coronet is different and the P of PERPETUAL does not line up with L of EXPLORER Vertically as the mk 5 does.

Watch looks fine, nice clean lines but of course not close to 100% original - if that's of no major concern, just price it accordingly, as a service watch dial, hands, plexi, bracelet (looks 78360 not 6206) crown, (plus bezel I think) eg about/circa 65% of an original parts one.

*Ps, if buying, Check engravings on here I suggest, and a UV too of dial - should be no lume and just an immediate white(ish) reflection before UV switched off...I see little reason to think the dial and hands are off though or relumed, as they were blotchy on a Mk3 out of the starting gate.

[Chris6880]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
Good info below, should answer your question:

https://explorer1016.com/dial-catalogue/

Looked through the dial catalogue extensively, and am confused by one thing.

https://explorer1016.com/matte/service-dials/

For the final dial type "Service Dials," they discuss that Mark 3, Mark 4 and Mark 5 dials were used as service dials, and if one of those shows up on a watch with an earlier than expected serial, that's a flag that it's a service dial. Fine.

Then there's mention of a dial that was used as a service dial only. (both tritium and luminova versions), but no mention of what the defining characteristics of those dials are, or how to identify that it's a service dial. To my eye, they look similar to Mark 3 and Mark 5 dials--any thoughts? Maybe the serifs on the "Explorer" of the dials? Found it a little odd that there isn't clearer guidance on this, given how detailed it is for all the other dials.

Welcome any thoughts!

[TuRo]

Tbh there are absolutely loads of tells for those two service only dials the 1 ) frogsfoot and the 2) non-frogsfoot coronet:

For example both those unique service dials have the C of CERTIFIED slightly to the right of H of CHRONOMETER above.

Also, downstrokes of P of Perpetual lining up with the downstroke of L of EXPLORER.

If you forensically crawl over the whole dial you'll see 50-100 other anomalies that are clear on SERVICE ONLY dials.

Little tip - don't concentrate on the shape of the letters so much as they are very small and similar often, but instead the gaps and the relationship to and between other letters as this is more stark/unequivocal.

[Chris6880]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Tbh there are absolutely loads of tells for those two service only dials the 1 ) frogsfoot and the 2) non-frogsfoot coronet:

For example both those unique service dials have the C of CERTIFIED slightly to the right of H of CHRONOMETER above.

Also, downstrokes of P of Perpetual lining up with the downstroke of L of EXPLORER.

If you forensically crawl over the whole dial you'll see 50-100 other anomalies that are clear on SERVICE ONLY dials.

Little tip - don't concentrate on the shape of the letters so much as they are very small and similar often, but instead the gaps and the relationship to and between other letters as this is more stark/unequivocal.

Thank you! Yes the H/C seems to be a pretty clear one that holds up when comparing across matte dials. Thank you and thanks for the overall guidance!

[Chris6880]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
Good info below, should answer your question:

https://explorer1016.com/dial-catalogue/

One other question about the information on this site. If you navigate to the "hands" page, the author makes the distinction between flat and curved hands, but visually, I cannot distinguish between them. Can anyone provide more examples and/or description of what exactly is curved or flat on curved or flat hands?

Thanks!

[Boxanddocs]

Hello, I have this 1016 369…..serial dates to 1973.
Is this dial correct and not a service dial?
I think it’s correct after reading your very interesting and informative posts.

[Boxanddocs]

How do I post the image?

[996marty]

Originally Posted by Boxanddocs

Hello, I have this 1016 369…..serial dates to 1973.
Is this dial correct and not a service dial?
I think it’s correct after reading your very interesting and informative posts.

Maybe best to start a new thread with photos posting the photos is a little tricky as you are limited on the file size but once you get your head around it you’ll be fine.