Rolex Explorer 1016 as a daily beater?

[BigPilot5002]

Hello! I am thinking to buy Rolex Explorer 1016 from the 70's. Is there any fine gentlemen here who has this watch a daily beater? As a beater I mean some sports, swimming, hot tub, sauna etc. Not scuba diving. :) What I have understood is that if you have seals and gaskets checked this shouldn't be a problem? The case and the movement is very robust if I'm correct?

Tell me your experiences. Thanks, gentlemen!

[TuRo]

It's fine just as any other 4 digit plexi glass watch.

[Styles Bitchley]

You really need your watch in the sauna? Technically it could be made to be as water tight as original but it’s a 50 year old watch. Sports… you’re risking tritium knocking loose. Are you talking about basketball or snooker?

[BigPilot5002]

Well basically jogging and some basketball with my kid. So not very competitive. :)

I love wearing watches in sauna. Never had any problems.

But yeah, serious question: even tough the watch is 50 years old, if it passes the WR test, then it should be as water resistant as new?

[Juhuatai]

I wouldn't wear it playing basketball or jogging.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

I wouldn't wear it playing basketball or jogging.

Gotta agree. Lume applied 50 years ago w some adhesive and who knows how close to crumbling, is not something I would provoke with even mildly low impact sports.

[Juhuatai]

Yep, I think when 80% of the value is in the dial, it makes no sense to wear it so hard. A good alternative would be a 1016 with SL dial and hands. You can beat that to shit without worrying too much about the dial flaking, crumbling, etc.

[psv]

Please don't wear watches in the sauna.

You are fine wearing a 1016 daily but I wouldn't necessarily do sports with it, take it in water, etc. Tritium might suffer.

[BigPilot5002]

Thanks guys. You convinced me. I will not get a vintage Rolex as a beater watch.

[BigPilot5002]

Originally Posted by psv

Please don't wear watches in the sauna.

Serious question: why not? I wear them in -40 degrees during winter without any problems. And it is +70 degrees in sauna. You can boil a Rolex - why not wear in sauna if the watch is waterproof?

[Dan S]

Hot tub, sauna ... just asking for trouble.

[psv]

Originally Posted by BigPilot5002

Serious question: why not? I wear them in -40 degrees during winter without any problems. And it is +70 degrees in sauna. You can boil a Rolex - why not wear in sauna if the watch is waterproof?

It seems like nothing I/anyone will say to you will change your mind...

Think about it. Extreme heat affects metal and other materials. It may cause it to expand thus increasing the chance of letting in moisture. The heat may impact the rubber gaskets of your watch. I really don't understand why you would want to take that risk. On top of that, if it is a real sauna, temps can go up to 100-110C - the metal conducts the heat. You don't wear a neckless in the sauna, do you?

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by BigPilot5002

Thanks guys. You convinced me. I will not get a vintage Rolex as a beater watch.

My 1675 is my beater watch as is my 16800 but I have service parts on the 1675 and tucked away the original dial and hands so it’s less of an issue day to day.

[Filipão]

Avoid extreme heat. Sauna is NG

[interestedwatcher]

Sauna is just bad ju ju - could burn your skin, and it's literally heat + steam, anything could sneak in. I wouldn't even wear modern Rolex in the sauna .

[zapokee]

Hot tub? What is this, the 1980s?

Serious response: I wouldn't wear it as a daily beater, especially if your lifestyle is as moist as it sounds. It's a great piece to have in your collection and to wear occasionally, but not as your main watch.

It's one of those nice watches to have sitting on your home-office desk, eyeing you up all day. If you're doing wet stuff, get a Casio. Or a modern Explorer.

Good luck with your decision.

[BigPilot5002]

Originally Posted by psv

On top of that, if it is a real sauna, temps can go up to 100-110C - the metal conducts the heat. You don't wear a neckless in the sauna, do you?

You really don't understand physics? Yes, I wear neckless and yes it is a real sauna.

But anyway, like I said, you guys convinced me and I won't by this vintage piece as a beater.

[George58]

you can wear a
rolex anywhere
if your body can take your watch surly can take it

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by George58

you can wear a
rolex anywhere
if your body can take your watch surly can take it

In theory, a new Rolex can be worn just about everywhere and anywhere you can.

But, we’re talking about a 50 year old Rolex with now vulnerable components and whose structural integrity is not necessarily what it was when it was when new.

[borango]

1016 is definitely not a beater, probably not even a daily for most people. Mine has been serviced by Rolex and is fully waterproof but I would not swim with it or wear it for any serious sports activity. Earlier gilt dials should receive even more care while wearing them. I have new 36 for abuse.


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[Jawnz]

I’m for wearing it as your daily beater. If you have the money who cares? It’s like driving a rare Porsche as your daily commuter.


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[donq]

The issue is not so much if the watch is capable, but the risk associated with any kind of failure.

A vintage 1016 is not cheap, and something a simple as a minor crystal leak could end up costing many thousands of dollars to repair. The dials and hands constitute a large percentage of the value if they are original and in good condition. Vintage tritium does not hold up to moisture and hard knocks as well as the modern stuff does. A bit of water, or a fall to the bathroom floor, and there goes $10,000 in repair costs and devaluation.

If money is no object, and you consider yourself lucky or recklessly flamboyant , then go to it and more power to you.

[Juhuatai]

Really nice one. What year is that?

Originally Posted by borango

1016 is definitely not a beater, probably not even a daily for most people. Mine has been serviced by Rolex and is fully waterproof but I would not swim with it or wear it for any serious sports activity. Earlier gilt dials should receive even more care while wearing them. I have new 36 for abuse.


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[borango]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

Really nice one. What year is that?

1975


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[BigPilot5002]

Originally Posted by donq

The issue is not so much if the watch is capable, but the risk associated with any kind of failure.

A vintage 1016 is not cheap, and something a simple as a minor crystal leak could end up costing many thousands of dollars to repair. The dials and hands constitute a large percentage of the value if they are original and in good condition. Vintage tritium does not hold up to moisture and hard knocks as well as the modern stuff does. A bit of water, or a fall to the bathroom floor, and there goes $10,000 in repair costs and devaluation.

If money is no object, and you consider yourself lucky or recklessly flamboyant , then go to it and more power to you.

Yeah, I see your point and it makes perfect sense. :) Propably will buy a cool IWC as a daily beater or sub 16610.

[espanol]

The Explorer is one of the few models where current model (124270) isn't a total detraction from old. I'd say you'd be better served with a 124270; similar proportions, rock solid, 5-year warranty. No brainer to me.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by espanol

The Explorer is one of the few models where current model (124270) isn't a total detraction from old. I'd say you'd be better served with a 124270; similar proportions, rock solid, 5-year warranty. No brainer to me.

'End of days' on the old vaguely vintage look for me is a 14270 lug hole nice patina Tritium.

The 214270 was way bit too big for me as were outgoing Datejusty stylee Milgauss.

124270 as you say has a better size and a bit of old skool DNA.

Ps my contact in Rolex HQ says look out in 2-3 yrs as a Milgauss in c 39-40mm with the old early four digit Professional style rotating black bezel, red/white writing over Paris Hobnail finish with red lightning second hand is being worked on at the Rolex Skunk works.... hence them buying a few incl the £240,000 at auction lately !!

[1William]

Cool watch but not one that is a beater for me. Too old, too valuable for beater use and so many other watches that could fit the beater category to use this watch as one.

[Bob the brush]

When mine gets its turn on my wrist, I treat it like any of the others, swim, cycle, ski, whatever. I do have an annual water resistance check done every year on my collection. I don't tworry, I own it, not the other way around.

[TimeLord2]

Was going to do a little construction work in the backyard with some light jack hammering, and maybe follow it up with some mountain biking. My watch I inherited from my dad is only 50 years old. I just had it serviced, surly it's up to the task. I mean what could go wrong? I'll just get another service and replace all the parts if it fails, right? I suppose if it holds no value there is no sense in babying it.