Rolex

When Sherpa Tenzing Norgay summited Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, the first men to ever accomplish the feat, strapped to both men’s wrists were Rolex watches. To commemorate the achievement, Rolex named the reference Norgay wore the ‘Explorer’. 10 years later, the reference 1016 was launched and marked the longest standing reference in the range and in Rolex history, produced until 1989. The Explorer today is a fan favorite due to its understated design and clean aesthetic, with a small and smooth case without rotating bezel and time-only functionality. The generous application of radium made the watch extremely legible but also contributed to the distinctive dial design and today all Rolexes with Arabic numerals at 3,6,9 are called ‘Explorer’ dials.

The present watch is an early example of the reference 1016, with the correct radium gilt dial. The glossiness of the lacquer on the dial is attractive to look at and to own an early example of a reference of such longevity will entice any collector. What is also interesting about this watch is that it features a 'upside down case', where the reference number is engraved at 6 o'clock and the serial number at 12 o'clock. Still retaining its original expandable Oyster bracelet, the present example is in very nice quality.