The Rolex Explorer became one of Rolex's most recognized watches after it was worn by Sir Edmund Hilary as he completed the first ascent of Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953. ^[0]

The watch used int the climb was produced in 1950 and was never purchased commercially.

Rolex was one of the sponsors of the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition – only one expedition was allowed each year by the Nepalese government – and part of this sponsorship included providing Hillary with this watch. It was not a gift, but rather a watch for Hillary to wear during the expedition and then to return to Rolex for extensive testing after the descent. And that is exactly what happened. ^[1]

The Rolex Explorer ^[4]wristwatch is one of the brand’s most recognizable watches.

Originally descended from the forerunner of the “Explorer” model, worn by the first party to climb Mt.

Everest, the Rolex Explorer reference 1016, specifically, was the longest running of all Explorer models, produced from 1963 to 1989.

Replacing reference 6610, reference 1016 is also the most famous Explorer, unique for being the first “James Bond” watch, both mentioned in the books as well as actually being worn by 007 creator Ian Fleming.

Despite its long run and continued reference numbering, there were many changes to reference 1016 ^[4]during this time.

The first version of the model, produced from 1963 to around 1975, used the basic caliber 1560.

Over time there were certain updates and modifications, as well as special editions.

For example, in 1963 Rolex released the “Space Dweller” as a test product in Japan, taking advantage of the hype of the first visit to Japan by astronauts of the United States’ Project Mercury.

The watch, however, was produced in very small quantities and was not a major seller, thus was never brought to full production.

Though it is certainly not the most valuable Rolex Explorer, the Space Dweller is certainly one of the rarest.

The Explorer reference 1016 is a fairly simple design, featuring a black matte dial with off-white markers.

Like other Rolex watches, the Explorer caliber is encased in a screw down oyster case, with an increased water resistance level from 50 meters in the previous reference, to 100 meters.

The second version of reference 1016 was really the second version of the 1560 caliber.

The exterior of the watch remained the same, which caliber 1560 was renamed 1570, incorporated the new “hack” feature, which stops the second hand when the winding crown is pulled out to the hand setting position.

By stopping the hand at the “12” position, it is possible to synchronize the watch’s time with that of another time source.

In 1989, the Rolex Explorer reference 1016 was discontinued.

It was replaced by the heavily revised Explorer reference 14270, which sported a new case, dial, movement, and glass, with only the hands and name carrying over from reference 1016.

Despite its production end, reference 1016 remains the longest running and perhaps one of the most popular Explorer references in Rolex history.

^[3]

The Vintage Rolex Explorer 1655 was famous since Steve McQueen wore this watch.

In the photograph below is the Black Dial Explorer One, to the left, center is the one that went to the top of Everest and to the right is the Explorer Two, Steve McQueen.

^[5]