Rolex. A very rare and unusual stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet and white dial
Lot 280

Rolex. A very rare and unusual stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet and white dial

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, EXPLORER, REF. 1016, CASE NUMBER 745'307, MANUFACTURED IN 1961

Closed11 May 2009

Price Realised

CHF 30,000

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Rolex. A very rare and unusual stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet and white dial
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Explorer, ref. 1016, case number 745'307, manufactured in 1961
Cal. 1560 nickel-finished lever movement, 26 jewels, white dial, luminous baton, Arabic and dagger numerals, sweep centre seconds, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back, screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 4.62, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

Specialist note

The celebrated Explorer reference 1016 was introduced into the market in 1959, the first series featuring the non-hacking calibre 1560. One of Rolex's most popular sports watches, the Explorer is easily recognizable by its black dial with the luminous triangle at 12, luminous Arabic numerals for the other three quarters and luminous baton numerals for the remaining hours.

The present watch however is particularly unusual and rare as it is fitted with a highly attractive off-white dial and matching ivory-coloured luminous material to numerals and hands. This unusual dial was almost certainly made by special order.

A similar watch is described and illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 226 & 227.