A university witness called “The Last Rolex”, but you will not choose it through the GMT career

• Several Rolex Explorer 1016 colleges are the last real -watched brand viewing tool.
• It was produced from 1960 to 1989, and it appeared on a 36 mm tray, brilliant black connection, and Tritium Lume, and there is no date.
• Inspired by Everst Expedition in 1953, 1016 reflects Rolex’s transformation from adventurous equipment into a luxurious icon.

There was a time when Rolex was not the cultural and financial tyrant he was today. Swiss luxury watch makers have always been one of the world’s most brands, but during the twentieth century, you can say that the market share was more balanced among other brands.

Watch the brands produced more pragmatic pieces

The collection of hours as financial assets did not start in the same way that we see today. Rolex may sit next to Sico modest in the same diving cabinet just because it can do the same task.

Watch fans, or what will be known later as a university, looked at pragmatism on the status where the watches were tools designed to measure seconds, or keep their wearer at the time specified during diving, or even withstand the cruelty of mountain climbing in unforgettable conditions.

Luxury manufacturing He was competing with the likes of Omega, Heer and Duxa, and all of them made difficult hours of professional degree; The idea of ​​spending five numbers on Rolex as a symbol of the case was simply unknown. For this reason, many consider the Explorer 1016 as “the last real Rolex”: a hard time, readable, and the non -dress that was made very well.

The first explorer: the last real Rolex

It was produced from 1960 to 1989, it is not only one of the tallest references in Rolex, but also a final example of the unfamiliar rugged design philosophy of the brand.

It was small. Only 36 mm. But this is what made it wear. The brilliant black phone call with Arabic numbers at 3, 6 and 9 made it read immediately. The case was placed either the 1560 caliber or later, the work science 1570, both of which are approved by COSC. Make Titium Lum, crystal crystal, and a crown of the screw ready for the field. No date. No fluff. Just Rolex in the middle of the century.

During this time, Rolex was strongly tilted on hours as tools for adventure. In 1953, the Swiss brand sent examples of permanently oyster expression to a group of bold mountain climbing, including Sir John Hunt, Sir Edmund Hillary, and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherba climber from Nepal, who has become the first to reach to reach the summit of Everest.

Later that year, Rolex released the first watch for the iconic “Explorer” title now.

Then Rolex embraced modernity

1016 finished production in 1989, before Rolex entered a modern era of bright aspects, white gold indicators, ruby ​​crystals, and the prestige dependent on marketing. Explorer 14270 that replaced his shop looks cleaner, yes, but also more companies.

For this reason, for many old plural amateurs, 1016 is the last reference that feels pure mechanical, purely functional, and purely Rolex, not available in luxury sites. It still represents the true spirit of Rolex: modest, capable and quietly excellent. Although I doubt that none of them will choose it on the GMT career.