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Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'

Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot'

SOLD

May 29, 1953

After an arduous journey starting on March 10th of 1953, and an extremely difficult assault on the summit, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first people to successfully summit Mt. Everest. On their wrist? NOT a Rolex Explorer.

Whoops.

Well, to be fair the Rolex Explorer wasn’t created yet. So why the hullabaloo about Sir Edmund Hillary? Well - he was wearing a Rolex. A Rolex Oyster Perpetual. After hearing of the success of this expedition and ruggedness of the watch - the decision was made to replace the Oyster Perpetual with a new model named in Hillary’s honor - The Explorer. Or so the story goes.

Either way, the Rolex Explorer I was introduced in 1953 but like many Rolex models, the first series was not considered ‘the best’ reference. For many collectors - the ultimate Explorer I is the reference 1016. It’s clean, highly legible and still tough enough for use in modern day wear. While using the same case as a Datejust, the smooth bezel and applied luminous Arabic 3,6,9 lend a more rugged and utilitarian aesthetic to the watch. Early models, like this, were made with gilt dials. Gilt dials are when the lettering and fonts are punched out of the dial so that the brass ‘gilt’ color shows through creating a golden text appearance. These are not very easy to produce and were ultimately discontinued by Rolex in the later half of the 1960s as they couldn’t be produced in the same quantity as a matte dial - but nothing shines and glows like a Rolex gilt dial.

The particular example that we have here is a 'MK1' variant dating to circa 1969. It comes to us with a strong case that has seen a light previous polishing and shows honest wear with a few blemishes here and there. The smooth bezel and the correct folded-link Oyster bracelet are in matching condition to that of the case. It houses an early dial known to collectors as a 'Frog Foot' for the, well, frog-foot shape of the Rolex coronet at the 12 o'clock position. It remains in very nice overall condition with gently patinated Tritium elements and is complimented by a Tritium handset that with a slight gradient patina.

All in all, a well-rounded and honest example of what many consider to be a perfect watch!

Stainless Steel 1969 Automatic 36mm
Condition Report & Details

Condition:

Case: Lightly previously polished, retaining symmetrical lugs and shows normal signs of wear throughout. There are two notable impressions on the top edge of the upper right lug and also some scuffs present on the lower right lug profile.

Bezel: Possibly unpolished, showing normal wear matching the case with one scuff at the 12:30 position.

Dial:  Very nice overall with minor edge-wear between the 57/58 hash marks and a small area of discoloration just above the center post. The Tritium indices are nicely patinated and 'puffy' with the 4 and 6 showing very small areas of darkening — hardly visible to the naked eye. The handset exhibits a slight gradient in the color of the Tritium and matched under UV exposure.

Movement:

Automatic-winding chronometer certified calibre by Rolex.

Bracelet/Strap:

Rolex stainless steel Oyster bracelet with 11 links and signed blade clasp (unstamped). Previously polished and shows light signs of wear throughout and minimal stretch. Sized for ≈7.5" wrist.

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