The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 6 August 2020, 06:31 PM   #1
jefford47
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: london
Posts: 2
Rolex 1016

Hi all,

I'm currently looking to buy a 1016, and am looking for some advice; it's not a watch I know a huge deal about, but am very keen on owning - it will be something I wear every day.

I've read some horror stories about after-market crystals, fakes made up with Tudor pieces, and everything else - and to a watch newbie like me, it's all fairly daunting (and is close to putting me off entering the Rolex fraternity completely!).

Are there any tips on how I might find a good piece, that has provenance and is original? Are there benefits in going for a later model over an earlier one, etc?

And any more tips/advice with this watch?

Kind regards and many thanks
jefford47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 August 2020, 09:42 PM   #2
statsman
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 394
Good news- the good ones are out there.

Bad news- the good ones aren’t cheap. Some of the bad ones are cheap, and some of the bad ones aren’t cheap.

I was lucky. My dad gave me my 1016 after it had spent years in his drawer. I came to this message board for advice, and everyone said- show us a picture so we can see if it is legit. There are people on this board who can spot a fake or Franken. There are type fonts, there are hand sizes, there are color matches, there are serial numbers, there are features from different periods- it sounds like all of this, and more, come into play.

Again, I was lucky. I posted my pic of my 1016, missing a bracel t and with a knockoff crystal (from an earlier non-Rolex service), and everything else original, and the board advised me to spend the money to get it serviced correctly, by vintage Rolex specialists (which I did- Phillip Ridley).

There is no getting around it- getting a good one will cost you, unless somebody gifts you. There are no secrets. You buy from a seller with a good rep here, and you pay a fair price. eBay will have some for sale that look like great deals- they aren’t.

If paying $10-15k is a hindrance, I recommend thinking hard about what you like about the 1016- the ruggedness, the simple but complete design, the heritage? Then consider other watches with those traits, until you find the right one at a price that works for you. There are many, many terrific watches that represent better value than the 1016, and you can have a lot of fun exploring for them- 1940s three hand military Universals, 1960s Seikos, various Tudors come to mind (and I’m sure there are more). You can have a lot of fun looking. Or you can just write the $10-15k check.
statsman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 August 2020, 11:11 PM   #3
zapokee
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,342
Quote:
Originally Posted by jefford47 View Post

I've read some horror stories about after-market crystals, fakes made up with Tudor pieces, and everything else - and to a watch newbie like me, it's all fairly daunting (and is close to putting me off entering the Rolex fraternity completely!).
Don't be put off. It's awesome here. Just buy from a trusted seller, and don't try to find bargains on Ebay and the like. You've got to pay to play. Decide your budget and then add 20% for a really good example.

You're unlikely to go wrong with trusted stalwarts like Jacek at Tropicalwatch and HQ Milton. Good luck with it - you're staring into a big rabbit hole.
zapokee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 August 2020, 11:17 PM   #4
chinaski
"TRF" Member
 
chinaski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: SpeedyProExplorer1
Posts: 418
"Buy the seller"
chinaski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 August 2020, 11:38 PM   #5
jefford47
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: london
Posts: 2
thanks all.

I don't want to say "price isn't a factor", as it clearly is, but I know the price of a decent one and am wiling to hold out for something that's worth paying for.

Any thoughts on whether I'm better off going for an early one or a later one? I've seen some guides that rave about the 66-69 watches, and others who say the later L and R series watches are the ones to go for.

Is it just dial and wear aesthetics, or are there other benefits of going for an earlier/later watch?

I'm buying this for me (as a 40th birthday present to myself!) - not as an investment, so am not really worried about future values.
jefford47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.