167 Rolex Refined and Sporty Explorer Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 1016, with Black Dial

Estimate: €12,000 –⁠ 14,000

Model: Explorer
Reference: 1016
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1975
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 1570
Case N°: 4085714
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case

Rolex were adamant that they wanted their watches on the summit and so in 1952 they equipped the British climbers with large size Oyster watches. These watches were what collectors now refer to as Pre-Explorers, essentially prototypes of what would ultimately become the Explorer. This example of Explorer reference 1016 watch is not one of the firt but it features the same 36 mm sized Oyster case like the first one that climbed the mountains. It presents no evident signs of wearing, along with an Oyster bracelet in nice conditions as well and its black matte dial, introduced in the late 1960s, instead of the previous gilt one, has a white iconic trio of Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Compleated by the signature of this model with baton indexes, outer minute/second divisions and luminous steel Mercedes skeleton hands this watch is an unmissable piece of history reminiscent of human feats.