ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

hugh59 · 1 March 2009, 12:06 AM

Dad bought this Explorer 1 rev. 1016 in the late 1960s. He always wanted to get a Rolex after seeing a sales display in the Philippines when he was there in the late 30s. I don't know if it had a bracelet; dad always wore it on a cheap, expandable metal band.

The watch stopped running in 1988. Dad passed away in 1989. I expressed interest in the watch and my mother gave it to me in 1997. I took it to an authorized Rolex dealer and they sent it back to the factory for refurbishing. I found a folded steel Oyster bracelet in New York City in 2001 so the ensemble is complete.

I need to spend time to make a better gallery of photos for this watch. But this is the best I have available to share with you.

Dan Pierce · 1 March 2009, 01:24 AM

Great story, Hugh.

Something to keep in the family. That classic is timeless.

dP

Lion · 1 March 2009, 01:31 AM

Very nice watch and story about your Dad's Explorer!!!

Prince · 1 March 2009, 01:39 AM

Thanks for the wonderful story about your Explorer, Hugh. We would LOVE to see photos of your watch when you get the chance!

Rebel · 1 March 2009, 01:42 AM

Thank you for sharing the history of that great watch!

hugh59 · 1 March 2009, 04:48 AM

Now I am in the process of getting my dad's even OLDER Omega refurbished (it is a 1947 watch with the "bumper" movement). And my granddad's old pocket watch. Woo hoo!

Here is the old Omega (hopefully I will not be struck by lightning for posting at a Rolex site):

hugh59 · 1 March 2009, 05:04 AM

Another one of the Rolex, taken just moments ago.

JJ Irani · 1 March 2009, 05:16 AM

Beautiful story, Hugh......now your dad's memory will live on forever on your wrist!!

JJ

Prince · 1 March 2009, 07:45 AM

Great photos, Hugh. Thanks so much for sharing both your story AND the pics!

cody p · 1 March 2009, 09:58 AM

love those vintage rolexes and omegas, thanks for sharing.

zak98 · 1 March 2009, 11:00 AM

great !

buz-lh · 1 March 2009, 09:53 PM

Beautiful watch and it's wonderful that you can have a memory of your dad with you at all times.

rkrdr · 6 March 2009, 12:34 AM

What a truly priceless watch, Hugh. Your dad wore this and that makes it an heirloom. Nicely done.

alant · 6 March 2009, 04:40 PM

Great thing to have of your fathers. Treasure it!

DSJ · 7 March 2009, 12:40 AM

Fantastic story about a classic watch that has so much meaning for you. I really enjoy hearing these tales.

hflee55 · 9 March 2009, 12:47 PM

a classic!

Latrodectus · 11 March 2009, 01:37 AM

Very nice, thanks for telling your story. You have great watches...and it is fun to get them restored!

Alex Stylianou · 11 March 2009, 04:43 AM

Nice watch and a lovley story!

SirLoki · 11 March 2009, 05:36 AM

awesome vintage look!

Subexplorer · 11 March 2009, 06:12 AM

Wonderful story and a magnificent watch.
I had always loved the Explorer and specially the looks of the vintage models like yours, with its full luminous indexes. I own a present made example, which I really like, but regret Rolex abandoned the scheme of the old model dial, with the new numerals non luminous, and all indexes surrounded by a thin gold line.
Yours its a great example, with the added value of remembering your Dad everytime you take a look at it. Wear with pride and enjoy in good health!
Thanks for sharing!
Best regards, Abel

arkwhaler · 11 March 2009, 06:43 AM

awesome. hopefully i am creating memories and heirlooms for my sons. beautiful pieces. congrats.

Spaniard · 11 March 2009, 12:12 PM

nice watch!!! I've one as well...very classic...worth keeping.

CharlieG · 14 March 2009, 05:13 AM

Nice story and nice watches you inherited!
Wear them in good health.

Lol-x · 14 March 2009, 12:15 PM

Looks fantastic, awesome story. More pics are always welcome

Phazer · 9 June 2009, 02:29 AM

Nice vintage Rolex!

186rehoboth · 10 June 2009, 10:20 PM

Inspiring story. Thanks for sharing. Did the same with my Dad's when he was still alive. He beamed with pride that after all these years. I think he had great times when he had those. It has now inspired me to buy a good watch for myself. For the next generation - like the PP ad.

rik byatt · 21 June 2009, 06:55 AM

Excellent. Well done! Looks great

zidaneong · 21 June 2009, 10:36 PM

The watch looks nice on your wrist. :)

sea-dweller · 26 June 2009, 09:12 AM

Beautiful, classic Explorer 1 !!!

1 March 2009, 12:06 AM	#1
hugh59 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbus Watch: Explorer 1 1016 Posts: 13	Dad's old Explorer 1; now mine Dad bought this Explorer 1 rev. 1016 in the late 1960s. He always wanted to get a Rolex after seeing a sales display in the Philippines when he was there in the late 30s. I don't know if it had a bracelet; dad always wore it on a cheap, expandable metal band. The watch stopped running in 1988. Dad passed away in 1989. I expressed interest in the watch and my mother gave it to me in 1997. I took it to an authorized Rolex dealer and they sent it back to the factory for refurbishing. I found a folded steel Oyster bracelet in New York City in 2001 so the ensemble is complete. I need to spend time to make a better gallery of photos for this watch. But this is the best I have available to share with you.

1 March 2009, 01:24 AM	#2
Dan Pierce "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,456	Great story, Hugh. Something to keep in the family. That classic is timeless. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

1 March 2009, 01:31 AM	#3
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	Very nice watch and story about your Dad's Explorer!!! __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

1 March 2009, 01:39 AM	#4
Prince "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Allan Location: St. Augustine, FL Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ Posts: 20,323	Thanks for the wonderful story about your Explorer, Hugh. We would LOVE to see photos of your watch when you get the chance! __________________ Member: Rolex Keeper's Society "You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson

1 March 2009, 01:42 AM	#5
Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail Location: New Albany Watch: Tudor Sub 75090 Posts: 8,411	Thank you for sharing the history of that great watch! __________________ ------------------------------- Member of the Nylon Nation

1 March 2009, 04:48 AM	#6
hugh59 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbus Watch: Explorer 1 1016 Posts: 13	Now I am in the process of getting my dad's even OLDER Omega refurbished (it is a 1947 watch with the "bumper" movement). And my granddad's old pocket watch. Woo hoo! Here is the old Omega (hopefully I will not be struck by lightning for posting at a Rolex site): Last edited by hugh59; 1 March 2009 at 04:53 AM.. Reason: adding photo of the Omega

1 March 2009, 05:04 AM	#7
hugh59 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbus Watch: Explorer 1 1016 Posts: 13	Another one of the Rolex, taken just moments ago.

1 March 2009, 05:16 AM	#8
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,317	Beautiful story, Hugh......now your dad's memory will live on forever on your wrist!! JJ __________________ 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!!

1 March 2009, 07:45 AM	#9
Prince "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Allan Location: St. Augustine, FL Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ Posts: 20,323	Great photos, Hugh. Thanks so much for sharing both your story AND the pics! __________________ Member: Rolex Keeper's Society "You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson

1 March 2009, 09:58 AM	#10
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	love those vintage rolexes and omegas, thanks for sharing.

1 March 2009, 11:00 AM	#11
zak98 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: TN Watch: out Posts: 2,351	great ! __________________ Z- Submariner; P- Airking; M- GMTII; C0 - Milgauss GV; D - Rolesor (TT) Daytona; Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46 Omega Speedmaster Racing Panerai PAM390

1 March 2009, 09:53 PM	#12
buz-lh "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Buz Location: Atlanta Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam Posts: 5,108	Beautiful watch and it's wonderful that you can have a memory of your dad with you at all times. __________________ Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis

6 March 2009, 12:34 AM	#13
rkrdr "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Eddie Location: GMT-6 Posts: 130	What a truly priceless watch, Hugh. Your dad wore this and that makes it an heirloom. Nicely done. __________________ -balance-

6 March 2009, 04:40 PM	#14
alant "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Alan Location: Netherlands Watch: Submariner Date Posts: 238	Great thing to have of your fathers. Treasure it!

7 March 2009, 12:40 AM	#15
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	Fantastic story about a classic watch that has so much meaning for you. I really enjoy hearing these tales. __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

9 March 2009, 12:47 PM	#16
hflee55 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Andy Location: Kuala Lumpur, MY Watch: Me Watching You!! Posts: 3,260	a classic!

11 March 2009, 01:37 AM	#17
Latrodectus 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,087	Very nice, thanks for telling your story. You have great watches...and it is fun to get them restored! __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

11 March 2009, 04:43 AM	#18
Alex Stylianou "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,785	Nice watch and a lovley story!

11 March 2009, 06:12 AM	#20
Subexplorer 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,235	Wonderful story and a magnificent watch. I had always loved the Explorer and specially the looks of the vintage models like yours, with its full luminous indexes. I own a present made example, which I really like, but regret Rolex abandoned the scheme of the old model dial, with the new numerals non luminous, and all indexes surrounded by a thin gold line. Yours its a great example, with the added value of remembering your Dad everytime you take a look at it. Wear with pride and enjoy in good health! Thanks for sharing! Best regards, Abel __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

11 March 2009, 06:43 AM	#21
arkwhaler Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: flyover america Watch: 114270 Posts: 235	awesome. hopefully i am creating memories and heirlooms for my sons. beautiful pieces. congrats.

11 March 2009, 12:12 PM	#22
Spaniard Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex Explorer I Posts: 64	nice watch!!! I've one as well...very classic...worth keeping.

14 March 2009, 05:13 AM	#23
CharlieG "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Charlie Location: NY Posts: 1,135	Nice story and nice watches you inherited! Wear them in good health.

14 March 2009, 12:15 PM	#24
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,901	Looks fantastic, awesome story. More pics are always welcome __________________ *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

9 June 2009, 02:29 AM	#25
Phazer "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 2	Nice vintage Rolex!

10 June 2009, 10:20 PM	#26
186rehoboth Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Oskie Location: ManilaPhilippines Watch: JLC SquadraHmetime Posts: 15	Inspiring story. Thanks for sharing. Did the same with my Dad's when he was still alive. He beamed with pride that after all these years. I think he had great times when he had those. It has now inspired me to buy a good watch for myself. For the next generation - like the PP ad.

21 June 2009, 06:55 AM	#27
rik byatt Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Rik(obviously) Location: Manchester, UK Watch: 16613,15210,220050 Posts: 136	Excellent. Well done! Looks great

21 June 2009, 10:36 PM	#28
zidaneong "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex YG Datejust Posts: 274	The watch looks nice on your wrist. :) __________________ [1] Rolex TT Blue Dial Submariner 16613 (M serial) [2] Rolex YG Datejust 16018 (8 mil Serial) [3] Rolex YG Datejust 16238 (L Serial) [4] Rolex YG Gold Crystal Daytona 116518 [5] Patek Philippe SS Aquanaut 5065

26 June 2009, 09:12 AM	#29
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,017	Beautiful, classic Explorer 1 !!! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)