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Lot Essay
The celebrated Explorer reference 1016 was introduced to the market in 1959, the first series featuring the non-hacking calibre 1560. One of Rolex's most popular sports watches, it is easily recognizable by its black dial with the luminous triangle at 12, luminous Arabic 3, 6, 9 numerals and luminous baton numerals for the remaining hours.
The present example is distinguished by the unusual minute track with outer chapter ring printed in silver and the signature likewise in silver as found on early Explorer models. Later series featured gilt printing, the minutes without outer ring. According to the serial number of this watch it was made in 1960, also confirmed by the case back stamped I.60 for the first quarter of 1960. This very elegant Explorer model is furthemore preserved in very good overall condition, it was serviced at Rolex in Athens and is accompanied with a service guarantee dated 18 July 2018.
Enhancing its overall appeal, the wristwatch holds an earlier serial number than the personal Explorer reference 1016 owned and worn by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. Fleming’s watch, with a serial number believed to be 596’851, was researched and shared with the public by the James Bond watches expert Dell Deaton. Deaton proposed that Ian Fleming’s early Explorer reference 1016 served as his basis for the personal James Bond wristwatch he described in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1963).
The present example is distinguished by the unusual minute track with outer chapter ring printed in silver and the signature likewise in silver as found on early Explorer models. Later series featured gilt printing, the minutes without outer ring. According to the serial number of this watch it was made in 1960, also confirmed by the case back stamped I.60 for the first quarter of 1960. This very elegant Explorer model is furthemore preserved in very good overall condition, it was serviced at Rolex in Athens and is accompanied with a service guarantee dated 18 July 2018.
Enhancing its overall appeal, the wristwatch holds an earlier serial number than the personal Explorer reference 1016 owned and worn by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. Fleming’s watch, with a serial number believed to be 596’851, was researched and shared with the public by the James Bond watches expert Dell Deaton. Deaton proposed that Ian Fleming’s early Explorer reference 1016 served as his basis for the personal James Bond wristwatch he described in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1963).