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Rolex Explorer 1016

Rolex Explorer Mark III Dial 1016
Rolex Explorer Mark III Dial 1016

Rolex Explorer Mark III Dial 1016

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Rolex Explorer crafted in stainless steel. Featuring a distinctive mark III matte dial with arabic numbers and a fixed stainless steel bezel. Fitted with a plexiglass, a self-windi...

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Recent Sales

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Dial Automatic Mens Watch
Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Dial Automatic Mens Watch

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Dial Automatic Mens Watch

Unavailable

W 0.79 in D 0.48 in Dm 1.42 in L 7.49 in

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Dial Automatic Mens Watch

By Rolex

Located in Miami, FL

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Dial Automatic Mens Watch 36MM

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Matte Mark1 Dial Automatic Mens Watch
Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Matte Mark1 Dial Automatic Mens Watch

Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Matte Mark1 Dial Automatic Mens Watch

Unavailable

W 0.79 in D 0.48 in Dm 1.42 in L 8 in

Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Matte Mark1 Dial Automatic Mens Watch

By Rolex

Located in Miami, FL

Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Matte Mark1 Dial Automatic Mens Watch 36MM

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Chapter Ring Dial Automatic Mens Watch
Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Chapter Ring Dial Automatic Mens Watch

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Chapter Ring Dial Automatic Mens Watch

Unavailable

W 0.79 in D 0.48 in Dm 1.42 in L 7.49 in

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Chapter Ring Dial Automatic Mens Watch

By Rolex

Located in Miami, FL

Rolex Explorer 1016 Tropical Gilt Chapter Ring Dial Automatic Mens Watch 36MM

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016

By Rolex

Located in Westlake Village, CA

For sale is this Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Mens Watch
Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Mens Watch

Rolex Explorer 1016 Vintage Mens Watch

By Rolex

Located in Great Neck, NY

Rolex Explorer 1016 Men's Watch. 36mm Stainless Steel case.

Category

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

ROLEX Explorer  Ref. 1016,  1972
ROLEX Explorer  Ref. 1016,  1972

ROLEX Explorer Ref. 1016, 1972

By Rolex

Located in Chicago, IL

Rolex Explorer 1, Ref. 1016, serial number = 1972, Oyster Bracelet, original, near mint dial.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Explorer Tropical Dial 1016
Rolex Explorer Tropical Dial 1016

Rolex Explorer Tropical Dial 1016

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A 36mm, vintage Rolex Explorer in stainless steel. Featuring a distinctive rare tropical dial with arabic numbers and a smooth, fixed stainless steel bezel. Fitted with a plexiglass,...

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016
Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016

By Rolex

Located in Dallas, TX

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016 - Automatic winding.

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016
Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016

By Rolex

Located in Dallas, TX

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch 1016 - Automatic winding.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016

By Rolex

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

“There’s something special about the simplicity of an Explorer”- Josh Bonifas. This is a later model ref. #1016, created circa 1983. It has nice case condition, hacking movement and ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Rolex Explorer I Men's Steel Watch Ref. 1016
Vintage Rolex Explorer I Men's Steel Watch Ref. 1016

Vintage Rolex Explorer I Men's Steel Watch Ref. 1016

By Rolex

Located in Dallas, TX

Vintage Rolex Explorer I Men's Steel Watch Ref. 1016 - Automatic winding.

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1967
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1967

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1967

By Rolex

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Rolex stainless steel Explorer wristwatch, Ref. 1016, circa 1967, with beautiful case condition and a gorgeous patina on the dial.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1975
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1975

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1975

By Rolex

Located in Dallas, TX

Collectible vintage Rolex stainless steel Explorer I wristwatch, Ref. 1016, with hack feature and automatic movement.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Gilt Dial Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016
Rolex Stainless Steel Gilt Dial Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016

Rolex Stainless Steel Gilt Dial Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016

By Rolex

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

A beautiful all-around example of a 1016 Explorer with an early gilt dial. This combination was produced in limited numbers and offers a legitimate vintage aesthetic at a far lower p...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Explorer Vintage Gents Stainless Steel Tropical Dial 1016
Rolex Explorer Vintage Gents Stainless Steel Tropical Dial 1016

Rolex Explorer Vintage Gents Stainless Steel Tropical Dial 1016

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Explorer Vintage Gents Wristwatch, tropical dial with hour markers and arabic numbers 3, 6 & 9, a fixed stainless steel smooth bezel, a stainless s...

Category

20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Tiffany & Co. Stainless Steel Explorer Chronometer Wristwatch Ref 1016
Rolex Tiffany & Co. Stainless Steel Explorer Chronometer Wristwatch Ref 1016

Rolex Tiffany & Co. Stainless Steel Explorer Chronometer Wristwatch Ref 1016

By Rolex

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

“This is a great watch”. It’s got it all. A striking patina that’s matched on the hands and markers, originally sold at Tiffany & Company and in amazing, all original condition. The ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pre-Owned C/1967 Rolex Gilt Dial Explorer Ref. #1016
Pre-Owned C/1967 Rolex Gilt Dial Explorer Ref. #1016

Pre-Owned C/1967 Rolex Gilt Dial Explorer Ref. #1016

By Rolex

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

The history of this watch offers a unique opportunity for the Explorer collector. It was acquired from a US soldier who served in Vietnam. Look closely to notice the matte finish of ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch Rare  Tropical Gilt Dial Mod. 1016
Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch Rare  Tropical Gilt Dial Mod. 1016

Vintage Rolex Explorer Men's Steel Watch Rare Tropical Gilt Dial Mod. 1016

By Rolex

Located in Dallas, TX

Automatic winding. Stainless steel case (36mm diameter). Very rare and collectible tropical gilt dial with Arabic numerals and stick markers. Strap band with stainless steel Rolex b...

Category

20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

ROLEX Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch circa 1963
ROLEX Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch circa 1963

ROLEX Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch circa 1963

By Rolex

Located in Chicago, IL

Rolex Explorer 1, Ref. 1016, with hack feature, cal. 1570 movement.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Explorer Ref 1016
Rolex Explorer Ref 1016

Rolex Explorer Ref 1016

By Rolex

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This is a beautiful example of a Rolex Explorer I reference 1016. The dial is 100% original and has great patina with matching hands.

Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer I Wristwatch Ref 1016
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer I Wristwatch Ref 1016

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer I Wristwatch Ref 1016

By Rolex

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This a mint example of a Rolex Explorer I reference 1016 from the 1970s. The case is very sharp and the dial is in mint condition.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1987
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1987

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1987

By Rolex

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This is a great example of the Rolex stainless steel Explorer wristwatch, Ref. 1016, from the 1980s.

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1968
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1968

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch Ref 1016 circa 1968

By Rolex

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Wristwatch, Ref. 1016,.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

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Rolex Explorer 1016 For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate rolex explorer 1016 for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of Stainless Steel and Steel, this item was constructed with great care. If you’re browsing our inventory for a rolex explorer 1016, you’ll find that many are available today for men, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and women.

How Much is a Rolex Explorer 1016?

Prices for a rolex explorer 1016 can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $6,950 and can go as high as $44,995, while this accessory, on average, fetches $15,280.

Rolex for sale on 1stDibs

While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.

Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.

But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.

But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.

Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.

The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.

Find vintage Rolex watches, bracelets and more on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Wrist-watches for You

Antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves — it's time you found your own.

Certain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.

Bulgari’s legendary Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional wristwatches.

Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist.

In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.

Are you shopping for a wristwatch? It’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors.

Find antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.