We've received a Ref. 1016 with a tropical dial that boasts an exceptional condition, one that would impress anyone who sees it.
The Ref. 1016 Explorer 1, released in 1960 and sold under the same reference for 30 years thereafter, featured a glossy "mirror dial" during a limited production period up until 1967.
Mirror dials are inherently delicate, and not many examples have survived to this day in their original condition. Furthermore, it is known that a very small number of these dials retain their original luster while the entire dial has aged to a deep brown color.
The watch we are introducing today is one such tropical dial that has perfectly preserved its original luster, making it an outstanding example. Any vintage Rolex enthusiast would undoubtedly dream of owning one. This Ref. 1016 was manufactured in 1966, at the very end of the mirror dial production period.
The dial is a Mark 6, the sixth type among the six confirmed mirror dials for the Ref. 1016. Its distinctive features compared to Mark 5 and earlier dials include the decorative parts of the "L" and "E" in "ROLEX" printed on the dial, which extend diagonally, and the crown mark, which tapers radially and makes the contrast with the dot at the tip more distinct.
Furthermore, a charming aspect of the later mirror dials, including Mark 6, is their thicker lacquer compared to earlier models, allowing for a more beautiful luster.
The accompanying bracelet is a C+I rivet bracelet. It is said that when Rolex was sold in the North American market, only the bracelets were produced in the US to avoid tariffs associated with being Swiss-made, and thus they are stamped with "USA".
The bracelet itself was manufactured in 1965. At that time, Rolex bracelets and watch bodies were produced separately, and the bracelet was only attached when the watch was sold. Therefore, the manufacturing years of the watch body and bracelet did not always match, with a discrepancy of about 2-3 years. A one-year difference, as seen in this piece, presents absolutely no issue regarding consistency.
However, these intricate background details, which should be emphasized when enjoying vintage pieces, might become minor characteristics in the presence of this tropical dial.
Tropical dials that maintain a good luster without rough patches or cracks, and have beautifully aged, are becoming increasingly difficult to find year by year. While prices are certainly rising, it's not uncommon for properly conditioned pieces to simply not appear on the market if the timing isn't right.
The Ref. 1016 reference, with its simplicity and excellent legibility, became a benchmark for subsequent watch designs. The combination of such a standard-bearer with a perfect tropical dial creates a powerful impression that, in terms of presence, might even surpass a Daytona.
This is a watch that, though a rather bold "AFTER" proposition, is clearly desirable to everyone. However, after seeing this exceptional tropical dial, we believe you will understand this bold proposal.
It is overwhelmingly, unmistakably, the ultimate piece.
