1969 Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016 'Frog's Foot'
Why This Watch Matters
How could you not love the purest form of a vintage Rolex sports watch?
The Full Story
The Rolex Explorer is the most talked about Rolex model of 2021, after the brand's resizing of the modern iteration back to classic 36mm standards and the introduction of a two-tone offering. This watch is all over the news today.
Rolex introduced the ref. 1016 Explorer in 1959 and continued to produce it for the next 30 years, until 1989. Many slight variants exist within the 1016 world, but all share an iconic black dial with Arabic numerals at three, six, and nine o'clock. The example we have here is referred to as the Mark 1 matte dial. Its noticeable feature is the shape of the coronet at 12 o'clock which resembles a frog's foot, hence the nickname.
We're really loving the ref. 1016 lately. It is one of our favorite Rolex references; it makes one of the best cases for a one watch collection. That being said, a great matte dial Explorer can fit into even the largest watch boxes and still offer reason to be worn extensively. It makes a great case to just be on your wrist, no matter what. We especially love to find them with a super attractive dial and lume patina to write home about.
For more information on the ref. 1016, you can look here.
The Fine Print
Maker: RolexModel: Explorer
Reference: 1016
Year: 1969
Case No: 2127857
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 36mm diameter; 12.8mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Rolex, self-winding, caliber 1570
Bracelet/Strap: Rolex, stainless steel, folded-link Oyster ref. 7836 bracelet with 358 end links (Maximum bracelet length 200mm / 7.9in)
Lug Width: 20mm
Box/Papers: No
What We Love And What You Should Know
Things We Love:
- Frog's Foot Coronet- Clean dial
- Beautiful lume color
Things To Know:
- Case has scratches- Slightly later bracelet
- Caseback engraving
This Explorer is in overall excellent, attractive condition. The case is strong with some scratches and light nicks. The back of the lugs have some scratches from the bracelet. The numbers between both sets of lugs are clearly visible. The case appears to have been lightly polished. The caseback has light scratches throughout and there is a light engraving, "ANDRISNAK SZERETETTEL ANYU ES APU 5.13.71." which reads "Andris with love, Mother and Father 5.13.71." in Hungarian.
The dial is in overall excellent condition. The lume on the dial and hands has aged to a beautiful creamy yellow color. The lume on the hands aged a little lighter in color than the lume on the dial. The hands themselves have developed a light patina.
The inside caseback is stamped "II.69,'' indicating it was made in the second quarter of 1969 and matches the case number. The folded link Oyster bracelet is in overall great condition with some light stretch between the links and light scratches. The clasp is marked "3 72" indicating it is a slightly later replacement. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
Original: $19,500.00
-70%$19,500.00
$5,850.00Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Why This Watch Matters
How could you not love the purest form of a vintage Rolex sports watch?
The Full Story
The Rolex Explorer is the most talked about Rolex model of 2021, after the brand's resizing of the modern iteration back to classic 36mm standards and the introduction of a two-tone offering. This watch is all over the news today.
Rolex introduced the ref. 1016 Explorer in 1959 and continued to produce it for the next 30 years, until 1989. Many slight variants exist within the 1016 world, but all share an iconic black dial with Arabic numerals at three, six, and nine o'clock. The example we have here is referred to as the Mark 1 matte dial. Its noticeable feature is the shape of the coronet at 12 o'clock which resembles a frog's foot, hence the nickname.
We're really loving the ref. 1016 lately. It is one of our favorite Rolex references; it makes one of the best cases for a one watch collection. That being said, a great matte dial Explorer can fit into even the largest watch boxes and still offer reason to be worn extensively. It makes a great case to just be on your wrist, no matter what. We especially love to find them with a super attractive dial and lume patina to write home about.
For more information on the ref. 1016, you can look here.
The Fine Print
Maker: RolexModel: Explorer
Reference: 1016
Year: 1969
Case No: 2127857
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 36mm diameter; 12.8mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Rolex, self-winding, caliber 1570
Bracelet/Strap: Rolex, stainless steel, folded-link Oyster ref. 7836 bracelet with 358 end links (Maximum bracelet length 200mm / 7.9in)
Lug Width: 20mm
Box/Papers: No
What We Love And What You Should Know
Things We Love:
- Frog's Foot Coronet- Clean dial
- Beautiful lume color
Things To Know:
- Case has scratches- Slightly later bracelet
- Caseback engraving
This Explorer is in overall excellent, attractive condition. The case is strong with some scratches and light nicks. The back of the lugs have some scratches from the bracelet. The numbers between both sets of lugs are clearly visible. The case appears to have been lightly polished. The caseback has light scratches throughout and there is a light engraving, "ANDRISNAK SZERETETTEL ANYU ES APU 5.13.71." which reads "Andris with love, Mother and Father 5.13.71." in Hungarian.
The dial is in overall excellent condition. The lume on the dial and hands has aged to a beautiful creamy yellow color. The lume on the hands aged a little lighter in color than the lume on the dial. The hands themselves have developed a light patina.
The inside caseback is stamped "II.69,'' indicating it was made in the second quarter of 1969 and matches the case number. The folded link Oyster bracelet is in overall great condition with some light stretch between the links and light scratches. The clasp is marked "3 72" indicating it is a slightly later replacement. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
