1966 1016 Explorer: Input Appreciated

[1675-David]

Any input regarding this 1966 explorer would be greatly appreciated!! Go ahead and tell me what's right and what's wrong before I make a bid.

Sellers description:

Men´s wristwatch Rolex Explorer Ref no.1016, Serial no.1736XXX, Cal 1570, Case no 1016 (VI 66), automat, scratched plastic crystal, oyster bracelet Ref no. 78360-N2/558, broken pins between bracelet and watch,

[pdoukas]

David, really need more pics of the lugs. They look a little thin. A fresh service will take care of the plexi, but I'm not crazy about the hands........looks like the tritium is cracking on the Mercedes hands.

[1675-David]

Sorry Pete this is the best I can do, the hands do look a bit flakey, shouldn't the dial be gilt from '66 this one looks mid 70's...

[pdoukas]

Do you have a serial number? Also I believe 66 was the last year for a gilt. Get the serial so we can try to date it and go from there.

[1675-David]

Serial no.1736XXX, Cal 1570, Caseback (VI 66), I suspect the dial is a later replacement and the hands relumed.

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Serial no.1736XXX, Cal 1570, Caseback (VI 66), I suspect the dial is a later replacement and the hands relumed.

David,

Serial number guessing has always been tricky at best as there is no official list. That being said, the list I use, which has always corresponded to my case back dates, suggests the 1.7 being 1967/68. I myself would tend to believe that the cae back is incorre t for this watch. Others who use a different serial number list would suspect that the dial has been changed out. Either way, something has been changed out and I would pass.

[964RS]

67 was the change to matte dial

1.7m is 1967

The fact the caseback is end of 66 would not worry me - if it was newer than the case then maybe but a few months before serial is fine imho

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by 964RS

67 was the change to matte dial

1.7m is 1967

The fact the caseback is end of 66 would not worry me - if it was newer than the case then maybe but a few months before serial is fine imho

I can swallow that.

I've seen 66 gilts and 68 mattes, but never a 67 anything.

David, have you been over to the VRF dial archive and taken a look at the dials? I'm not sure that the dial you are looking at is kosher. Then again, I'm relying on my vision without my glasses right now.

[1675-David]

Thanks guys for all your input, after all my research and looking at the watch I will be passing...

The reason? Somebody at some point appears to have filed the inside of the lugs presumably to get a bracelet to fit Why they didn't trim the end links is beyond me but if you can treat a watch in this way then I'm not intrested in taking it on. The damage can be seen on the case on the top left and and botom right hand lug.

thanks again Pete and Jason

[harry in montreal]

crazy that someone would ever think to file a case to get a band to fit. incompetant. i hate to imagine what has been done to the movement.