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Explorer I Reference 1016
"The Classic Explorer"
Produced for thirty consecutive years without meaningful external change — an almost unheard-of run in any luxury product. The Ref. 1016 is the definitive Rolex Explorer: clean, legible, robust, and utterly without excess. Its longevity is a testament to how perfectly Genevan designers got it right in 1959. Early examples have matte dials printed with a "patina" finish; later ones shifted to gloss black lacquer. The movement upgraded from Cal. 1560 to 1570 and finally to the modern 3000, while the case exterior remained unchanged.
Notable: The longest-running production reference in Rolex history. Often called "the perfect watch" by enthusiasts.
Technical Specification
| Reference | 1016 |
| Production years | 1959–1989 |
| Case diameter | 36 mm |
| Case material | Oyster steel |
| Movement | Cal. 1560 → Cal. 1570 → Cal. 3000 |
| Jewels | 26 (Cal. 1560/1570), 27 (Cal. 3000) |
| Frequency | 18,000 bph (Cal. 1560/1570) → 28,800 bph (Cal. 3000) |
| Power reserve | 42h |
| Crystal | Acrylic → Sapphire (from ~1977) |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Bracelet | Jubilee 6251H (early) → Oyster 93150 (late) |
| Lume | Tritium (T SWISS T) |
| Dial colour | Matte black (early) → Gloss black lacquer (late) |
| Numerals | 3–6–9 Arabic in rhodium-plated brass, applied white gold stick indices |
| Hands | Mercedes hour hand (rhodium-plated), sword minute, slim seconds with pip |
| Crown | Twinlock Oyster crown, no crown guards |
| Serial range | 14xxxxx – 87xxxxx |
Variants & Production Marks
MK0 (1959-63): matte black, gilt printing, Cal. 1560
MK1 (1963-66): matte, white printing, Cal. 1560/1570
MK2 (1966-77): matte/semi-gloss, Cal. 1570, acrylic crystal
MK3 (1977-87): gloss dial, sapphire crystal, Cal. 1570
MK4 (1987-89): gloss dial, Cal. 3000