lhooq Posted January 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Explorer Overhaul Part 2: 1016 Project 4 Revisited It's not easy being Project 4. Even though more money and more work was poured into it, the Explorer stayed in the shadow of its handsomer and more charismatic brother, the Project 3 Space-Dweller. So, like Avis, it must try harder! But it's apples-and-oranges, really, and I'm not referring to the respective colors of their lume. The Space-Dweller is the overt "vintage" piece with smooth curves and that dome crystal, while the angular, 16203-based Explorer is the more timeless and discreet watch. I love both of these 1016s, and give roughly equal wrist-time to both of them. No, there is no favoritism in my house, and the mere suggestion of such is absurd. Ahem. But I did feel that, while the Space-Dweller was a done deal back in August, there was always room for improvement on Project 4. If you read my OP, I was explicit about the areas I was unhappy with: The high-beat, Sea-Gull movement, which was nonetheless accurate and reliable; and the dial, which was an old-version matte dial from Yuki, refinished by Goin6633. It does seem a bit churlish for me to complain about it, now that decent aftermarket 1016 dials are so hard to find (which is a bit ridiculous--these are not complex dials to make!). Dial by Rolex If rep 1016 dials are hard to find, gen 1016 dials are rarer still. Not counting crappy "refinished" dials and examples with ridiculous Buy-It-Now prices, I think only three 1016 dials showed up for auction between July and December. Thankfully, I managed to get a hold of that last one. And then SEVEN showed up on VRF a week later! Bizarre timing, now I have my dial, and it is nice: Other than the tritium migration -especially at 3 o'clock- the dial is in excellent condition. It's not a service dial, but an early-70s original, as indicated by the slab-serif font for 'ROLEX'. I chose this example for its clean surface and barely yellowed lume. The printing of the frog's foot coronet and ROPE text is actually less distinct than on a lot of rep dials. The SCOC text on the lower half is crisp, but subdued, something that has not been replicated by any aftermarket dial. Those usually go heavy with bold fonts and big serifs (which can also be accurate to certain gens). It's a beautiful dial, and the worst part of this build was having to snip its feet. I wish I had a 1570 for this build like Ubi does, so I could've kept the dial intact. (I also wish I had a 1570 so I could have a 1570!) Movement by Rado Chi's faux Tudor worked great in my Space-Dweller, so I thought I'd do something similar for P4. Here, then, is another ETA 2472, this one extracted from a Rado Purple Horse. Non-hacking, 18000bph, much like a 1560. So much better! There’s still a couple of areas for improvement, though they’re not urgent. I would like to change the hands (on this and the Space-Dweller) to genuine Tudor units, since none of the aftermarket sources seem to be able to get Sub hands right. Maybe in another fifty years? Also, while I’ve been a big fan of the cheap folded-link bracelet rep that came out last year, it falls short on several counts. I suppose this is as much a comfort issue as it is to do with visual accuracy, but I’d like to find a genuine 7836 for this build. But like everything else, they’re not cheap… A couple more beauty shots for the road, then I think I’ll go look at the dial with a loupe for a while! Big thanks to alligoat for his help in sourcing a very big part! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Love the face lift on this one! Turned out great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted January 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Love the face lift on this one! Turned out great! Thanks, ubi! I think I bumped into you as you were walking out of the Gen Dial Superstore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Stunning, just like the Space Dweller! Nicely done! I think a new set of hands and a gen bracelet will really make the difference on this one! My gen tudor bracelet is so ridiculously comfortable that I find I wear it almost all the time!! It really does make a difference in wearability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 M, wonderful as always, wow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted May 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 It's Explorer week at Chez LHOOQ! Sixteen months after the last post, Project 4 gets one final (?) upgrade. It's hands, baby. Tudor hands! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stepan Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Sorry about bumping old thread but this watch and work that was put on this beauty definitely deserve it. I'm speechless. Bravo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted December 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Thanks a lot! This Explorer is coming with me for my Christmas vacation, while the real 1016 sits in the bank vault. But don't tell anyone! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue. Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 This Explorer is coming with me for my Christmas vacation, while the real 1016 sits in the bank vault. But don't tell anyone! Really great Explorer´s Ihooq! Have a nice Christmas Holiday and don´t forget to post a theme picture of the 1016 in Christmas "action"! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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