Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'MK2'
May 29, 1953
After an arduous journey starting on March 10th of 1953, and an extremely difficult assault on the summit, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first people to successfully summit Mt. Everest. On their wrist? NOT a Rolex Explorer.
Whoops.
Well, to be fair the Rolex Explorer wasn’t created yet. So why the hullabaloo about Sir Edmund Hillary? Well - he was wearing a Rolex. A Rolex Oyster Perpetual. After hearing of the success of this expedition and ruggedness of the watch - the decision was made to replace the Oyster Perpetual with a new model named in Hillary’s honor - The Explorer. Or so the story goes.
Either way, the Rolex Explorer I was introduced in 1953 but like many Rolex models, the first series was not considered ‘the best’ reference. For many collectors - the ultimate Explorer I is the reference 1016. It’s clean, highly legible and still tough enough for use in modern day wear. While using the same case as a Datejust, the smooth bezel and applied luminous Arabic 3,6,9 lend a more rugged and utilitarian aesthetic to the watch. Early models were made with gilt dials, where lettering and fonts are punched out of the dial so that the brass ‘gilt’ color shows through creating a golden text appearance. These are not very easy to produce and were ultimately discontinued by Rolex in the later half of the 1960s as they couldn’t be produced in the same quantity as a matte dial - but nothing shines and glows like a Rolex gilt dial.
The particular example that we have here dates to circa 1969 and comes to us with a case that has seen a previous polishing while retaining symmetrical lugs. It shows honest wear with no substantial blemishes or damage with a bezel showing matching wear. The 'MK2' dial remains in superb condition, with seemingly no inconsistencies to the matte black texture, and a light, even patina across the Tritium elements with a slightly lighter handset. It comes fitted to a correct Jubilee bracelet with a signed blade clasp.
All in all, a well-rounded example of what many consider to be a perfect watch.
Movement:
Automatic-winding chronometer certified calibre by Rolex.
Bracelet/Strap:
Rolex stainless steel Jubilee bracelet with 22 links and signed blade clasp stamped '2-70.' Unpolished, showing normal wear throughout with mild stretch. Sized for ≈7.75" wrist.
