The Rolex Explorer reference 1016 ran for nearly three decades without changing in any meaningful way. From 1960 to 1989, Rolex made essentially the same watch: 36mm, black dial, Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9, no date. The Explorer was designed as a instrument, and Rolex saw no reason to change it.
This specific example dates to circa 1985, serial 9038xxx, and carries the MK5 dial, which was produced between approximately 1981 and 1986. The dial is in perfect condition: deep matte black with no damage, no reprint, and original tritium lume plots that aged to a warm cream tone entirely consistent with this period. The "Swiss T<25" inscription at 6 o'clock confirms the tritium composition. The bracelet is the correct period-matching ref. 78360 with 580 end links and I11 clasp stamp, entirely consistent with a 1985 production date. A matching bracelet on a 1016 of this age is not a given — here it is the correct and original one. The watch has been superbly preserved over the years and presents in great overall condition throughout. The calibre 1570 has been serviced and runs perfectly. It comes with our one year mechanical warranty.
The watch comes with its original Rolex green wooden box with outer cardboard sleeve, worn from forty years of existence — exactly as it should be. The original Japanese retail price tag reading ¥310,000 with the Japan Watch Importers label remains attached. Japanese-market 1016s are among the best-preserved examples in existence; the culture of care in which this watch spent its first decades shows in every detail. The original green tag is also present, with the complete serial on it. The original COSC red wax seal medallion is present and intact.
For anyone who understands the 1016, no further introduction is needed. For everyone else: this is the watch that everything else in the Explorer line has been trying to live up to ever since.
