Rolex Explorer 1016 with gilt dial from 1968

[Haywood_Milton]

For those who prefer things how they used to be, please enjoy this watch that I bought last week :



It's a Rolex model 1016 Explorer 1 with gilt dial, sold in January 1968 for £76-10-0.



The original owner's Oyster bracelet eventually failed, but his wife bought an American Jubilee to replace it.



After much reflection, the owner's son decided to sell it and replace it with a modern piece that he could wear without fear.



So, it will be stopping in Liverpool for a while! Rare things, gilt 1016 Explorers, but even then they come in a number of different versions with or without chapter rings and with the text at six in different formats.





Interesting to note the case-back date stamp :



A very elegant and well-proportioned watch that highlights how much more a piece of jewellery the modern Rolex has become.

Anyone know how to increase the size of your signature here on Rolexforums? :-)

H

[Thuilln]

Beautiful indeed.
Why is the invoice and Rolex papers mentioning model number 1025/200?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Thuilln

Beautiful indeed.
Why is the invoice and Rolex papers mentioning model number 1025/200?

Thought the same thing? Of course watches made in ‘64 could’ve been sold in ‘68, but these appear seems like they’re from an altogether different watch.

[Haywood_Milton]

Really, gentlemen?

The UK and perhaps other territories commonly published strange model or catalogue codes which did not correspond with the model reference as we would know it. Surely you have seen lots of literature like this, which explicitly shows the 1016 as a "1025"?



Very often one finds this number written on papers, rather than the "1016" we might now think logical. Lazy or ignorant retailers commonly enough recorded movement / case / catalogue / model numbers haphazardly.

As for the III.64 case-back date, it is entirely consistent with a 105xxxx case number watch and my records --- currently 341 A4 pages of typed case number details --- would regularly support a watch being sold several years later than the date inside the case-back.

You both may wish to look at some of the catalogues on the second page of this thread: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=710661
I'll take a 1029, please!

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[Thuilln]

Yes. Really.
Please excuse my total ignorance of vintage reference numbers.
I will make sure not to look like a fool again and won’t wander into the unknown.

[swish77]

Really beautiful, and so cool as a full set! Congrats!

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by Thuilln

Yes. Really.
Please excuse my total ignorance of vintage reference numbers.
I will make sure not to look like a fool again and won’t wander into the unknown.

We're all learning -- I, too, discovered a thing or three from that other thread

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Really, gentlemen?

The UK and perhaps other territories commonly published strange model or catalogue codes which did not correspond with the model reference as we would know it. Surely you have seen lots of literature like this, which explicitly shows the 1016 as a "1025"?



Very often one finds this number written on papers, rather than the "1016" we might now think logical. Lazy or ignorant retailers commonly enough recorded movement / case / catalogue / model numbers haphazardly.

As for the III.64 case-back date, it is entirely consistent with a 105xxxx case number watch and my records --- currently 341 A4 pages of typed case number details --- would regularly support a watch being sold several years later than the date inside the case-back.

You both may wish to look at some of the catalogues on the second page of this thread: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=710661
I'll take a 1029, please!

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

That’s why I mentioned that of course a watch made (stamped) in ‘64 could be sold in ‘68.
As for the “other territories” reference numbers, no, I surely haven’t seen lots of literature showing those. My fault.

[Mike Wood]

Nice catch HM!

I am always intrigued by sports Rolexes originating in the UK fitted with Rolex USA Jubilee bracelets (I have bought several such watches from original owners / their families), but interestingly, the Datejust illustrated in the catalogue posted also appears to wearing an American Jubilee bracelet...

MW

[Dan S]

Very appealing watch to add to your collection. Many thanks for posting.

[baumare]

What a lovely piece! And great provenance papers
the close up pics are perfect to see the fonts, thank you!

On a personal note, I keep looking at the x2-x3-x4 next the watches in you signature...:

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by baumare

On a personal note, I keep looking at the x2-x3-x4 next the watches in you signature...:

Thankyou for your kind comments, likewise to other posters.

"x2" etc in my signature simply reflects where I have more than one of a model. So, "mil subs...5513x9" means that I have nine of that particular reference.

Anyone with the sickness might understand the "why?" !

[themaninblack]

Good one but that watch is how it is now, not how it used to be!

[77T]

I wonder why the /200 on the original receipt?


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[Nick9]

Beautiful watch. It is so nice to have the original paperwork for watches that old. I have the box and warranty card that came with a Rolex dress Explorer from 1962 and I get a kick out of it. Alas, no receipt or anything else...

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

Good one but that watch is how it is now, not how it used to be!

Do you mean because it is on the Jubilee bracelet, or something else?

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by 77T

I wonder why the /200 on the original receipt?


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Again, I think it's a common suffix from the peculiar catalogue numbering system. Perhaps it was the alternate number for the original bracelet. Am sure I've seen a similar suffix on the numbers put on old Submariner paperwork.

[spoilsofwar01]

Awesome find Hayward,

[linesiders]

Nice find - yes 1964 Dial. With the SWISS - T < 25 in an unusual place - in the middle of the hash.

I have one here (the dial)




Quick Lume / UV Shot linked:

http://bostonsports.net/dials/1016Gi...133129_016.MP4

[rootbeer7]

Beautiful Haywood. Can you imagine an Explorer taking 4 years to sell now!!

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Do you mean because it is on the Jubilee bracelet, or something else?

I mean that back in 68 it was crisp and shiny and new, that’s how it used to be. Now it’s worn and patinated so that’s how it is now. That’s all.

Case back and case number would put this well before 68 manufacture date. But that’s when it was sold. I think probably last gilt dial Explorers were manufactured 66 or 67.

[lee fowler]

Awesome find as I mentioned and here are some more UK reference numbers and note the GMT as a 1015! Note the original tag which has 1015/6636 hand written on it.






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[Haywood_Milton]

That price list with "UK Ref" numbers is a cracker, thanks for sharing again.

[JustinK]

I have never been a huge fan of the explorers but gotta say that watch is beautiful.

Congrats!!

[alwayshere]

amazing!

[spoont]

Great watch just sad to see how RSC replaces the correct hands with shorter sub hands


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[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Awesome find as I mentioned and here are some more UK reference numbers and note the GMT as a 1015! Note the original tag which has 1015/6636 hand written on it.






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That chart with « UK Ref. » is a good explanation.
Thanks.

[1William]

Nice watch.

[rolexperfect]

Amazing watch and history behind it! Thank you for sharing it.

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

Good one but that watch is how it is now, not how it used to be!

Agreed. I like a bit of age on a watch - my 1018 today looks like Father Time dropped and then trod heavily on it - and that 1016 dial is far from its crispy white original state. Nice watch though (MUCH nicer than anything in my kennels).
https://imgur.com/a/N11G3px