When a desire becomes obsession: 1971 Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016

[1680]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a full package but it came with booklets, spare folded link and domed crystal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serial number puts it to mid/late 1971, sold around 1972 which was not uncommon, the Rolex Explorer was a shelf hugger at that time

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clasp stamped 4 71 which seems to be correct

 

 

 

Service dial with great lume

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think?

 

 

Cheers

[Nightwatch]

Congrats on Your Explorer. Simple, clean dial - nice lumeshot. Wear it well

[mystere]

Congrats, one of the finest vintage rolex.

[danielv2000]

Congrats! A true classic.

[Mike on a bike]

Ah Ditto to prior comments, clean ,classic wish I could wear that size....................... wear in good health.

[preacher62]

Beautiful!!!

[Nanuq]

Very very nice.

[Big Dazza]

Great looking piece. I wish they would make a modern version in 39mm with the exact same styling! The new explorers are such a disappointment!

[StormTooper4]

Class

[Arctos]

That's a winner 

[danielv2000]

Great looking piece. I wish they would make a modern version in 39mm with the exact same styling! The new explorers are such a disappointment!

I was thinking the same. I love the 1016 but have always hesitated because of size.

[Vegasvic]

I can understand your obsession about that watch! Congrats man! That is a truly gorgeous, classic piece.

 

Wear it proudly in good health!

[lhooq]

Beautiful 1016, 1680!  Congratulations!

[quaresma7]

Case and brazalet looks really good, would be perfect with his original dial and hands, anyway is a great piece, congrats!

[panerai153]

Beautiful !! Classic piece.

[droptopman]

Classy piece there. Very nice. Love the simplicity. You can wear that with and for any occasion.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[If you see Kay]

Yes, the size is a factor when wearing it, but it is pretty much the same size as the 36mm DJ's and those get wrist time, but not this one. It just doesn't seem to get that much wrist time as my other Rollies. 

 

I still really like mine. Once considered selling it, but have since decided against it.

[1680]

Thank you all for the compliments, here is how I did it:

http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/167880-the-built-of-my-franken-rolex-explorer-i-ref-1016/

 

 

[blue.]

Finally got the chance to congratulate on that excellent Explorer you built

 

I almost had forgotten about your 1016 built, but as soon as I saw the topic I surely first thought that you had ordered a gen.

Wouldn´t want to disclose the "super Franken" earlier as this built "fooled" almost all of us here on RWG.

Here is which two very minor details I found.

 

Great built, 1680!

Wear it often and in good health!

[martijnp]

Stunning watch! 
Great pictures too