Expedition explorer

[Carl D]

Hi guys ... Can I ask your opinion of this 1957 explorer watch that has the name and date of the exploration to Antarctica from 1956 to 1959 engraved on the back,together with the guys name and it comes with photos of the original explorer guy and his colleagues .. It is the early 1016 type and as the 1080 movement ... 266754 and 661/0 on the case markings ... IGYE ANTARCTICA also on the back ..... Please help with your thoughts on this watch ... Warm rgds Carl

[donaker]

I'm no expert but that looks like a beauty of a dial! Looks to me like it's been polished a few times but nice none-the-less. I'd be very happy to have such a watch.

[nickb732]

Could we see the caseback?

[Carl D]

Thanks, I'm no expert either so I'm calling on the experts on here to give their valued opinion .... It will make the difference of me buying it or not .... Tough one this, I reckon ! Carl

[Carl D]

Thanks but I've no photos of the case back as I've left the watch with its owner ... But it says Ivor Beney IGYE Antarctica 1956-1959 ... Cheers

[nickb732]

Maybe it was his watch?

[stmoore]

Sergeant Ivor C. Beney

Member of the Royal Society IGY Expedition at Shackleton station in 1957

Also assisted with the Commonwealth Trans Antarctic Expedition 1955-58.

[Carl D]

Dates match then ... Many thanks .. Can anyone put a value on this watch please .... Cheers, Carl

[stmoore]

Unless you have some proper provenance with the watch, it's not worth any more than a comparable explorer.

Originally Posted by Carl D

Dates match then ... Many thanks .. Can anyone put a value on this watch please .... Cheers, Carl

[crowncollection]

Nice piece

[Carl D]

Don't understand proper provenance ? It's dated on the back etc ... So it's worth the same as a 1957 explorer ? Please elaborate as I'm struggling with this watch...? Rgds Carl.

[stmoore]

A signed letter from him or the family, for example.

Anyone could engrave a case back. It's worth what someone will pay.

Originally Posted by Carl D

Don't understand proper provenance ? It's dated on the back etc ... So it's worth the same as a 1957 explorer ? Please elaborate as I'm struggling with this watch...? Rgds Carl.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Carl D

Don't understand proper provenance ? It's dated on the back etc ... So it's worth the same as a 1957 explorer ? Please elaborate as I'm struggling with this watch...? Rgds Carl.

Hypothetically speaking.....if the watch came with photos, a letter, original paperwork etc with the Antarctic explorer's name / picture or anything that might actually tie this Watch to the original explorer.....it could potentially increase the value significantly. Otherwise, the watch would be worth the same as another 1016 in this shape /condition.

[soundserious]

Is an OCC dial acceptable for this year and this configuration?

[Carl D]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Hypothetically speaking.....if the watch came with photos, a letter, original paperwork etc with the Antarctic explorer's name / picture or anything that might actually tie this Watch to the original explorer.....it could potentially increase the value significantly. Otherwise, the watch would be worth the same as another 1016 in this shape /condition.

Thanks ... It comes with photos of the owner, including a wedding photo and expedition photo ... So what is another 1016 worth ?

[NukeMan]

There's plenty of info out there. Here is one place to search:

http://www.chrono24.se/rolex/index.h...ber=1016%24221

[Beef]

The photos and documentation would add significantly to the value. Maybe more than double. While we are looking at the 1016 just as a vintage Rolex, there are lots of people who collect Polar exploration artifacts that would buy it as a rare, wearable artifact. Particularly in the UK. Also, if you search old Rolex ads, you'll see several with the 1016 being linked as pretty much the "official watch of the International Geophysical Year 1956." That was Rolex's biggest ad blitz since the Everest push a few years before. My guess is Rolex donated this watch to all of the expedition members for publicity. A picture of the case back and the photos would really be cool to see.

[Cc1966]

Please post pics of the caseback when you are able. I would venture it's worth 2x the value of a similar non-expedition 1016.

[Mike Wood]

The watch was offered to me, and I passed on it.

It appears to be quite genuine, the documentation and photographs add to the charm of the watch, but I just couldn't get excited.

The dial and hands are later service replacements, and it will be very difficult to reconfigure it back to how it was.

Value-wise, I see it around £7-8k, but I wouldn't want to add it to my collection, and I know the vendors are expecting five figures...

MW

[Beef]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

The watch was offered to me, and I passed on it.

It appears to be quite genuine, the documentation and photographs add to the charm of the watch, but I just couldn't get excited.

The dial and hands are later service replacements, and it will be very difficult to reconfigure it back to how it was.

Value-wise, I see it around £7-8k, but I wouldn't want to add it to my collection, and I know the vendors are expecting five figures...

MW

Thanks for the info, Mike. Nothing anyone can add to that. I figured it would be in the USD $12K plus range based on proof of authenticity. Most all collectible's value are based on original condition, unless extremely rare. I didn't realize the dial and hands were replacements. I agree that the vendors are optimistic.