Rolex Explorer 1016 dial real or fake?

[1791]

Is this dial real or fake?

[alpharulez]

Was this relumed at some point?


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[1791]

Originally Posted by alpharulez

Was this relumed at some point?


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I don't know. But it does glow.

[1665fan]

If it glows it’s relumed ...... pass

[Juhuatai]

Just because it glows does not necessarily mean it's been relumed. Could easily be a service luminova dial...

[1675-David]

looks OK to me! early to mid 80's

[1665fan]

Looks somewhat greenish tint on the second pic and if it was a 90s luminova service dial I’m sure there would be markings on the back.......

[1665fan]

I have had plenty of watches from the 80s and none would glow.......16660, 16800, 5513, 16760, etc.....but hey it’s your money

[shinyhappyobjects]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

I have had plenty of watches from the 80s and none would glow.......16660, 16800, 5513, 16760, etc.....but hey it’s your money

Agreed. If it glows its either relumed, fake, or a newer service dial (which I personally don't want either). Either way I wouldn't risk any amount of time or money on it.

[Juhuatai]

It quite literally says Rolex with the numbers underneath which is very typical for such a service dial. All I'm saying is jumping to the conclusion that it is relumed with the quality of the photos presented seems to be rather premature.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

It quite literally says Rolex with the numbers underneath which is very typical for such a service dial. All I'm saying is jumping to the conclusion that it is relumed with the quality of the photos presented seems to be rather premature.

I have to agree with you there, with these images it’s impossible to call relume.

[shinyhappyobjects]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

It quite literally says Rolex with the numbers underneath which is very typical for such a service dial. All I'm saying is jumping to the conclusion that it is relumed with the quality of the photos presented seems to be rather premature.

You're absolutely correct.

[1791]

Thanks for all the replies. The seller described it as an "early service dial with Luminova"
When I took this dial to a local Rolex AD. Their "Rolex expert" took a look at the dial. He stated "It was a fake" and he was "positive"
A Rolex service dial with Luminova is fine with me. I just don't want to have a fake.

[Juhuatai]

I wouldn't trust the opinion of any "rolex experts" at AD's. Unless they specialize in vintage most AD's have no idea what they're even looking at. If you could post higher res photos we could probably help you identify what you have.

[1791]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

I wouldn't trust the opinion of any "rolex experts" at AD's. Unless they specialize in vintage most AD's have no idea what they're even looking at. If you could post higher res photos we could probably help you identify what you have.

I will post better pics tomorrow.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by 1791

Thanks for all the replies. The seller described it as an "early service dial with Luminova"
.

Still don’t see this as a Luminova service dial, looking forward to better pix

[Tools]

Originally Posted by 1791

Thanks for all the replies. The seller described it as an "early service dial with Luminova"
When I took this dial to a local Rolex AD. Their "Rolex expert" took a look at the dial. He stated "It was a fake" and he was "positive"
A Rolex service dial with Luminova is fine with me. I just don't want to have a fake.

It would be wrong for any "Rolex expert" to call this dial fake as it does appear to be an authentic Rolex disc.

It may be refinished, but refinishing an authentic disc does not make it "fake", it makes it refinished. There are many refinished and high quality dial experts that can resurrect a severely damaged dial.

Naturally, it may also be one of the many service tritium template dials that were originally printed in Luminova. High quality photos could help solve the conundrum.

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by Tools

It would be wrong for any "Rolex expert" to call this dial fake as it does appear to be an authentic Rolex disc.

It may be refinished, but refinishing an authentic disc does not make it "fake", it makes it refinished. There are many refinished and high quality dial experts that can resurrect a severely damaged dial.

Naturally, it may also be one of the many service tritium template dials that were originally printed in Luminova. High quality photos could help solve the conundrum.

I agree.

And preferably for the higher res photo to be taken under daylight.


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[1791]

Here are better pics of dial.

[winst]

I will leave it to the experts but it doesn’t look like a fake to me and if it has been resumed they appear to have done a very good job.

[1675-David]

Still looks OK to me! Still an early to mid 80's dial and still could use better pix as the lume appears damaged.

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by 1791

Here are better pics of dial.

Definitely re-lumed at some point. Not sure if that looks like a RSC job or by local.
Depends on the premium you are willing to pay now and potential loss of value during a future resale you are willing to accept. I would say go for it as you will get to use/enjoy it now.


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[1791]

Thanks for your expert opinions. I'm satisfied that it is a genuine Rolex dial.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1791

Thanks for your expert opinions. I'm satisfied that it is a genuine Rolex dial.

Get a $10 blacklight/UV flashlight and shine it on the dial. That probably will tell you everything you need to know. Tritium and luminova react very differently under UV.

[bigfatpauli]

I have a question about this dial... If it glows, that would suggest it is a luminova dial, correct?

If that is the case, would it still have T < 25 marking on the dial UNLESS it was a re-lumed dial?

[coelacanthus]

I believe Rolex made service dials with luminova while still carrying “T < 25” (and never just “Swiss”) marking for 1016. I don’t think, as far as I can see from the photos posted, anything is strongly suggesting it’s been re-lumed after the production (as a service dial). Hope someone more knowledgeable can chime in.

[Beef]

Here is a (poor) snap of my 1969 1016 with Luminova service dial. When tritium became banned in 1999ish, Rolex couldn’t service older watches and replace the dials with NOS tritium dials. Though they had plenty. So they “scraped” the tritium off and relumed them in-house. The “Swiss-<25” at 6:00, but luminova on numbers/plots/hands. Of course not all luminova dials on older watches are service dials and I’d be careful with them. BUT, they aren’t uncommon.

[Beef]

Here’s a 1967 5512 with a luminova service dial and RSC papers. The old dial was badly relumed, so I had it and the hands replaced. Notice:” Dial-Black, white L plots” L =Luminova. I know a lot of you don’t like service dials, etc. I understand. I have original vintage examples of these, too. But, $3500 for the 1016, $4800 for the 5512, I wear them all the time. I’m happy! I hope this confirms the possibility of NOS Rolex tritium to luminova dials!

[Beef]

Can’t resist throwing this in. All RSC luminova service dals and hands, except one set of relumed hands (not by me, got it that way) Can you ID the ref/ models?

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by Beef

Here’s a 1967 5512 with a luminova service dial and RSC papers. The old dial was badly relumed, so I had it and the hands replaced. Notice:” Dial-Black, white L plots” L =Luminova. I know a lot of you don’t like service dials, etc. I understand. I have original vintage examples of these, too. But, $3500 for the 1016, $4800 for the 5512, I wear them all the time. I’m happy! I hope this confirms the possibility of NOS Rolex tritium to luminova dials!

Noticed customer requests on service invoice. Did they return the bezel back to you? I thought that was not an option for many years now?


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