Vintage Rolex Explorer 1016 Glossy Gilt Dial

Vintage Watch Condition Examination

This Rolex watch is in great, honest vintage condition. The case has normal signs of wear. The smooth bezel has remained sharp.  The glossy dial is in great condition with light patina and has a few spots of wear/ very light scratches that can be hard to notice depending on the angle and lighting. One spot to note is between 11 and 12. The dial has remained very glossy and is super attractive. The hands have developed patina. The lume on the dial and in the hands have aged to a matching beautiful pale yellow color. The rivet oyster bracelet is in great condition with wear and some stretch between the links which is common for this style bracelet.  

Vintage Rolex Explorer 1016

Rolex introduced the 1016 Explorer in 1959 and it was in production until 1989 making it one of the longest running produced references from the brand. At the beginning of the run Rolex made the dials glossy and then switched to the matte style around 1966. The example we have here has a beautiful glossy dial and is from 1966, so it would have been the last variation of the glossy dial before Rolex did the switch to the matte version. The watch we have here is in fantastic condition and is fresh to market. Finding glossy, gilt 1016’s is getting harder and harder everyday so we are pleased to offer this one. The lume has all aged to a pleasing pale yellow color that just pops against the glossy black background. The gilt colored text has remained vibrant and also looks great surrounded by the glossy black. The inside caseback on this watch is dated II.66, the case serial number lines up to circa 1966 and the bracelet is stamped “1/67” so everything checks out which is always nice. Oftentimes these original bracelets get worn out and lost over the years, but when they are still in good shape and fully intact it just completes the look and feel of these vintage Explorers.