Explorer 1016

[cdf7640]

An explorer 1016 is my grail watch. I honestly think it might be one of the most beautifully designed watches ever: minimal, elegant and understated. But as much as I lust over one, a later-year model in good condition is simply out of my price range. At what point did the prices on these go so high? Do you think the prices will eventually come back down? I've been tempted by the newer iterations, but they just don't seem to have the same magic to them (I wish Rolex would bring back the 1016 design, but I know they never will).

[Model12]

I love this post...

[vintagewatch]

The 1016 and pretty much all the 4 digit reference Rolex sport models prices have gone crazy in the last decade. In the 1980s and 1990s Rolex Bubblebacks were far more expensive (mostly) than sport models. Today Bubblebacks command far less. I don't think the same will happen with sport models anytime soon.



I've owned this one (small one) for many years, but couldn't afford it at todays prices.

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by vintagewatch

The 1016 and pretty much all the 4 digit reference Rolex sport models prices have gone crazy in the last decade. In the 1980s and 1990s Rolex Bubblebacks were far more expensive (mostly) than sport models. Today Bubblebacks command far less. I don't think the same will happen with sport models anytime soon.



I've owned this one (small one) for many years, but couldn't afford it at todays prices.

How much did you get it for, if you don't mind me asking?

[kwryeung]

Completely agree!


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[vintagewatch]

Originally Posted by cdf7640

How much did you get it for, if you don't mind me asking?

In the late 1980s I paid about $500 for a early 1970s 1016.

[996marty]

Great photo

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by cdf7640

Do you think the prices will eventually come back down?

Maybe with a few more pandemics. But don't count on it.

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by vintagewatch

In the late 1980s I paid about $500 for a early 1970s 1016.

Mine cost over ten times as much and was in hilariously bad shape (still is, although I have hopes for the future). They're crazy expensive - to the point where I remain surprised we haven't seen a similar Tudor released, BB36 notwithstanding.

[chinaski]

Why not a 14270 with Tritium dial? I love the 1016 as well, but 14270 are feasible in the price department and you get a modernized movement along with Sapphire.

[Kingface66]

I agree that the 1016 is in a class of its own. The 14270, to me, have precious little in common w the original. Between the gloss dial, the WG surrounds, the sapphire crystal, and the modem manufactured sterile-ness of them makes them so dull, generic, and identical.
If I were you, I’d save-up, beg, borrow, or steal, and get a 1016. While a gilt dial would be amazing, even a matte dial 1016 can be exquisite. But, don’t wait too long. I can’t seen them dropping in price anytime soon.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by Model12

I love this post...

Me too.

[statsman]

I have a 1016. It’s my daily wearer. It was my dad’s andPhillip Ridley brought it back to life.

I agree- the prices don’t make any sense. It doesn’t “wow” any non-Rolex people.

I place it in the category of “very well designed thing that just flat out work”, like a Colt M1911 (I am supposed to inherit Great Uncle Curtis’ M1911- it’s an original year model that he kept from the Marine Corps by shoving it in his bandages when he got shot up in Okinawa).

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by vintagewatch

In the late 1980s I paid about $500 for a early 1970s 1016.

You bastard.

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by statsman

I place it in the category of “very well designed thing that just flat out work”, like a Colt M1911 .

I feel like that's the definition of great design: where form and function meet perfectly in the middle.

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by statsman

(I am supposed to inherit Great Uncle Curtis’ M1911- it’s an original year model that he kept from the Marine Corps by shoving it in his bandages when he got shot up in Okinawa).

That's amazing and a great story. When objects are not only beautifully designed but also have an element of personal history to them, it makes them perfect in my book.

It's odd how context can completely change the emotional response to an object and ultimately the value. Like Paul Newman's Daytona wasn't something that was sought after when his wife bought it for him. It was a weird watch that not many people were interested in buying, but for some reason we link objects to people as though the objects have somehow absorbed the person's spirit. It's such a human thing and, to me, extremely interesting (as well as perplexing at times). It's at that point you realize that all marketing and advertising does is play on those emotions that push us to make seemingly irrational decisions. For my own selfish desires I just wish not as many people were moved by the 1016. But then again, maybe the reason I'm so interested in all of this stuff is the value that's assigned to it. It's an obsession of value, history, precision, quality and beauty.

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I agree that the 1016 is in a class of its own. The 14270, to me, have precious little in common w the original. Between the gloss dial, the WG surrounds, the sapphire crystal, and the modem manufactured sterile-ness of them makes them so dull, generic, and identical.
If I were you, I’d save-up, beg, borrow, or steal, and get a 1016. While a gilt dial would be amazing, even a matte dial 1016 can be exquisite. But, don’t wait too long. I can’t seen them dropping in price anytime soon.

Also, nice bass. I recently picked up a 1960 Fender Jazzmaster (my grail guitar) a couple of years ago. I think instruments can oftentimes have the same qualities as watches.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by cdf7640

Also, nice bass. I recently picked up a 1960 Fender Jazzmaster (my grail guitar) a couple of years ago. I think instruments can oftentimes have the same qualities as watches.

Qualities and, occasionally, the prices! I am still, and forever will be, kicking myself for selling my 1963 Fender Jazz Bass back in 1986....for $500.

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Qualities and, occasionally, the prices! I am still, and forever will be, kicking myself for selling my 1963 Fender Jazz Bass back in 1986....for $500.

Ugh, that hurts. I'm sorry to hear that. We've all been there, but you weren't a fortune teller and I'm sure there was a reason for selling it back then that made sense. The guy who sold the 1970's Explorer to the guy in this thread for $500 is probably kicking himself as well! Who knows? Maybe your bass will pop-up somewhere and you'll have a chance to get it back. Did you hear about the whole story behind Jaco's bass that went missing in the 80's and showed up years ago at a random music store in Manhattan with a veneer on it? Robert Trujillo of Metallica bought it and plays with it regularly now on stage.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by cdf7640

Ugh, that hurts. I'm sorry to hear that. We've all been there, but you weren't a fortune teller and I'm sure there was a reason for selling it back then that made sense. The guy who sold the 1970's Explorer to the guy in this thread for $500 is probably kicking himself as well! Who knows? Maybe your bass will pop-up somewhere and you'll have a chance to get it back. Did you hear about the whole story behind Jaco's bass that went missing in the 80's and showed up years ago at a random music store in Manhattan with a veneer on it? Robert Trujillo of Metallica bought it and plays with it regularly now on stage.

Oh, man, I do know that story, and it's both amazing, and so rewarding, that it found its way into some worthy hands.
As for a "reason for selling it back then that made sense"...I'm afraid not. And it's criminally embarrassing. Bearing in a mind I was playing in a DC punk band, but with a pretty big hard rock/Metal influence, I sold it and bought a...Guild Pilot bass.

I am, to this day, filled with agonizing shame.

[cdf7640]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Bearing in a mind I was playing in a DC punk band, but with a pretty big hard rock/Metal influence...

Please tell me you were in Bad Brains.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by cdf7640

Please tell me you were in Bad Brains.

I wish!

[mattedialdoc]

I picked up my first 1016 last year. I’ve had about everything else, but somehow avoided the 1016 bc it was 36mm. I acquired a 1601 and fell in love with the size. I then picked up a 14270 with tritium dial. I call those a “poor mans 1016”. I tried to love it, but just didn’t do it for me. I found a great 1016 and bit the bullet. The magic is real. It will never leave the collection. You won’t regret it.


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[lhendrickson]

Originally Posted by mattedialdoc

I picked up my first 1016 last year. I’ve had about everything else, but somehow avoided the 1016 bc it was 36mm. I acquired a 1601 and fell in love with the size. I then picked up a 14270 with tritium dial. I call those a “poor mans 1016”. I tried to love it, but just didn’t do it for me. I found a great 1016 and bit the bullet. The magic is real. It will never leave the collection. You won’t regret it.

Yeah, I've had a 1601 for some years now and happen to love the dimensions. I want a sports watch from Rolex and the 1016 is all that I want! Price be damned, I'm aiming for acquisition ASAP. In looking at 5513s or 1675s, I have to say that they are absolute classics however the 1016 just sorta does it for me in a way that the others don't.

Someone above mentioned how "sterile" the new Explorer is. I would say that is the case plus the dimensions of the markers, etc., of the 1016 are just so well-balanced and the numerals are Something was lost in translation from the 1016 to the 14270. I'd only buy the latter for its dimensions: the design doesn't evoke the same feeling that seeing a 1016 brings out.

[Bob the brush]

Here's a photo of mine. I bought this new in the early '80's, still got the original boxes, hang tags, booklets, guarantee etc, but miising the receipt, that has just been lost over time, but I paid about £400. I still use it as intended, I swim, cycle, run, with this strapped on. Its fantastic, so light on the wrist, a world of difference to my GMT master, or my AK.

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[lhendrickson]

Originally Posted by Bob the brush

I still use it as intended, I swim, cycle, run, with this strapped on.

I love hearing this! I do all the same activities with my 1972 1601 strapped on. Many pals are aghast, but I have a watch to be worn for all activities so why not? Plus, it runs at COSC no matter what I do. Most issues with accuracy have little to do with the jostling of my activities and have more to do with being magnetized while stationary and around electronics

[waspy1]

The 1016 is special somehow. I think it’s the perfect Platonic form of a watch if you know how Plato regarded these things. Or maybe Zen. Or something like that. It’s a pure abstraction of anything superfluous or additional, it just tells the time in the most clear and succinct way possible.

Here’s my gilt from 1965:




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[lhendrickson]

Originally Posted by waspy1

The 1016 is special somehow. I think it’s the perfect Platonic form of a watch if you know how Plato regarded these things. Or maybe Zen. Or something like that. It’s a pure abstraction of anything superfluous or additional, it just tells the time in the most clear and succinct way possible.

[mattedialdoc]

Originally Posted by lhendrickson

The 1016 is often referred to as the best sport Rolex . As someone who has the other references, I’d agree w that. I do love my 1655...but would rather wear it and the 1016 most often over my 1675. I think I’m just a little tired of the GMT Pepsi hoopla. Maybe bc the modern iterations are such a gross bastardization.


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[CalSRQ1]

Originally Posted by mattedialdoc

I picked up my first 1016 last year. I’ve had about everything else, but somehow avoided the 1016 bc it was 36mm. I acquired a 1601 and fell in love with the size. I then picked up a 14270 with tritium dial. I call those a “poor mans 1016”. I tried to love it, but just didn’t do it for me. I found a great 1016 and bit the bullet. The magic is real. It will never leave the collection. You won’t regret it.


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I picked mine up a couple years ago after debating about it for several years- all the while watching the prices rise. Maybe they will rise more- maybe not. But finally I figured out that my time is finite, and I really wanted one...and won’t be leaving my collection.