• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

Build a Explorer 1016, based on a genuine 1002 case

HootschiGootschi

„105 OR 1=1“
Patron
Certified
6/2/19
1,257
896
113
HG in da house
A while ago i read an article about an Explorer 1016 which catches my attention.
I liked these so much that i decided to do a similar one next.

Imho the 1016 uses a 36mm case, while the 5500 uses a 34mm case.

Purchased a genuine Rolex 1002 case through Ebay for roughly 350€, which is 34mm
and refurbish it a bit, while keeping the charme of the years.

I took this, with caseback and Acryl crystal as „the base“.

So here comes my Explorer “1016“ lookalike (5500) build, based on a genuine Rolex 1002 - 34mm case.

Bought a rep Explorer Dial for it, which was to big in diameter (28,5mm instead of 27mm)
and way to shiny for my experience.

First thing to do was to sand down the dial to make it fit.

Here you can spot the difference of the Rep Dial - before & after
(Left „the sanded version“ - right „default“)

20210111-185723.jpg

20210111-185707.jpg


Next step was to „vintagize“ the Dial and a Set of selected hands.
(I don’t wanted to extend that process to much, as i want to get some light creamy look of the lume at the dial & hands. Not to excessive)

On the movement side, i make use of the well known (& reliable) „low beat“ ETA 2840.
(Note: ETA was disassembled, mainplate bored for dial feet & movement holder screws, bevor i did the revision)

With this, i was ready to assemble into the genuine Rolex 1002 case & do the final regulation...

20210112-112738.jpg

20210112-112749.jpg

20210112-112828.jpg


Together with a rep rivet bracelet it may do the trick for me.

At last...
A wrist shot of this new „old“ baby of mine...

20210112-132215.jpg

20210112-132225.jpg

20210112-132221.jpg


(Welcome to your new life)
 
Last edited:

MSC19

Renowned Member
Supporter
8/5/20
867
948
93
Earth
Very nice piece. Congats! 36 mm does look so small on your wrist, what is your wrist size if you don't mind asking?
 

HootschiGootschi

„105 OR 1=1“
Patron
Certified
6/2/19
1,257
896
113
HG in da house
Very nice piece. Congats! 36 mm does look so small on your wrist, what is your wrist size if you don't mind asking?

To be honest, the genuine 1002 case, which i used, has 34mm (not 36 mm like the real 1016)

And yes,
my wrist isn’t really that small with 19cm as such :heffalump:
 

MSC19

Renowned Member
Supporter
8/5/20
867
948
93
Earth
To be honest, the genuine 1002 case, which i used, has 34mm (not 36 mm like the real 1016)

And yes,
my wrist isn’t really that small with 19cm as such :heffalump:

Sorry, missed the 1002 case info...34 mm makes more sense for my eyes. It looks nice anyway....
 

rwacc

Known Member
17/1/21
108
40
28
This is a great build. Nonetheless, a commando (ref 6429) build would probably also work well with your 34 mm case! Getting good non-mercedes hands may be a challenge, though.
 
Last edited: