Welcome to Explorer1016.com, a website dedicated to the iconic Rolex Explorer model 1016. Over the past decades, the Explorer – and its longest running model the 1016 – has risen with the popularity of vintage watches to become a sought-after cornerstone of collections everywhere. Many collectors, like myself, found themselves entranced by the history and beauty of the Explorer but quickly were daunted by the sheer number of variations over its long production run. After having a number of examples pass through my hands, I thought that sharing what I learned could serve as an homage to those who educated me. So, with the help of friends and astute collectors, I bandied together this site in hopes of helping the “watchfam.”
Good hunting…
Note: This site is meant as a collectors reference. No statements I make here are meant as dogma, just my observations and an amalgam of knowledge from other collectors. There are controversial points to what is correct or not. I try to mention these outright and make the most educated assessment I can.
The site is updated as new information is brought to my attention. If there are honest watches with something that does not match what is written here, please tell me – we should get to the bottom of it together! I claim no responsibility for collectors’ purchases based on the information obtained from this website, please do more homework than just coming here and above all – buy the seller. The site was put together in the hope that collectors continue to focus on this as a hobby with true scholarship and camaraderie rather than for investment or monetary gain.
Lastly, I want to say thank you to those who let me use their pictures and watch data on both this site and the GMT Master 1675 Reference Website. Look to the bottom of each page for the picture credits and links.
Explorer1016.com is not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or any of its subsidiaries.
Top Picture Credit: Bexsonn
Rolex Explorer 1016 