Pick a 1016 Dial (please)

[bobandshawn]

Hi guys,

Probably one of my last purchases is an upgrade to my beater 1016. I think Ruby is the best value/quality option, but I really can't tell any obvious differences between 1, 2, and 6?  Any help???

 

http://rubyswatch.com/Products/parts/explorer-i-ii

 

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HorFan]

1 and 3 look identical to me, 6 looks kind of f-ed up at on the 9

[bobandshawn]

I'm gonna see what they say. Apparently you don't order the same as other vendors. They have to contact you after an inquiry...

 

B

[tomhorn]

Keep in mind Ruby's dials are made for use with gen Rolex movements, so you'll be cutting dial feet if you are using ETA or Chinese movements.

[bobandshawn]

Aware. Thanks. Just looking to see if this is worth the upgrade from a Yuki.

 

I'm kind of stalled in my builds/mods and this will be one of the last unless there is a glaring error in the layout of these...

[alligoat]

I'm not impressed with the three dials with the minute tracks- the 3/6/9s look too fat and the 3s stick out too much on the bottom. And like Horfan said, the 9 on #6 is funky.

So that leaves J-4-1 by default. Or check ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rolex-1016-EXPLORER-Matte-Black-Refinished-Dial/263774448049?hash=item3d6a2ea9b1:g:EVQAAOSwtrJbLbkZ

[bobandshawn]

I actually looked at that one about an hour ago. Thanks!

 

B

[Dawagner]

I'm not impressed with the three dials with the minute tracks- the 3/6/9s look too fat and the 3s stick out too much on the bottom. And like Horfan said, the 9 on #6 is funky.
So that leaves J-4-1 by default. Or check ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rolex-1016-EXPLORER-Matte-Black-Refinished-Dial/263774448049?hash=item3d6a2ea9b1:g:EVQAAOSwtrJbLbkZ

That seller has a lot of nice looking dials. Definately a good find.

[automatico]

The dial in the eBay link has the numbers inset too far, just opposite of another common defect...the letters too far to the outside.  The printing also appears to be pale. 

Compare the lettering to another dial they have for sale to see what I mean...eBay item number  263892047654 

The quality/likeness of the pictures is unknown so there's also that to take into consideration.

 

I will admit I am not too sharp on grading dials but I do have a few genuine 1016 dials for comparison.

Plus $19.80 shipping is a bit stiff imho.

 

Not impressed with the Ruby dials either although they may look better in hand, it may be the photography.

In Ruby's defense, some of the dials on supposedly genuine 1016 watches look about the same:

 

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=rolex+1016+explorer&qpvt=rolex+1016+explorer&FORM=IGRE

 

Assuming most of the dials in the images above are genuine, there are a lot of variations so maybe there is quite a bit of leeway in choosing a dial.  The 'Stilty' dial on my JMB '1016' is not too hot comparing it to my nos examples but when comparing it to the images in the link above, it is not too bad. 

 

Something else about ordering aftmkt dials from Ruby, Yuki etc...the dial in the picture may not be exactly like the dial you get.  The dial you get may be a little bit worse or it might be a lot better.

 

 

 

 

[bobandshawn]

Ruby is a NO Response after adding to my cart and sending an additional email (weeks now). The guy on Ebay has blocked me for some unknown reason. So...

 

Bump

[jackflash]

Ruby is a NO Response after adding to my cart and sending an additional email (weeks now).

I had the same experience. Tried to order a couple of times from them, no response either.