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The 1016: The Under Appreciated Thread
- Thread starter ebzen02
- Start date
My Explor-a du jour-a
I think the Explorer was Rolex's attempt to make a "no frills" everyday watch that could handle some abuse, but minus the unneccessary complications that a Sub or GMT would have, or the "frill" that a Datejust would have.
A watch not for Sport or Travel or Dress, but one that could adapt to any situation. The "Jack of all Trades and master of none," which created its own class of watch...the high end "Beater."
Rolex had a reputation for not liking to waste parts or ideas, either (hence the "Rolerai" rumored to be made from leftover parts from the Panerai contract), so the Explorer was inevitable.
Some early Submariners came with what's essentially an Explorer dial. I don't think it was appreciated in its time, since it came and went without a huge following. I think the last 3,6,9 Sub they made was an early 5513.
I think the Explorer was Rolex's attempt to make a "no frills" everyday watch that could handle some abuse, but minus the unneccessary complications that a Sub or GMT would have, or the "frill" that a Datejust would have.
A watch not for Sport or Travel or Dress, but one that could adapt to any situation. The "Jack of all Trades and master of none," which created its own class of watch...the high end "Beater."
Rolex had a reputation for not liking to waste parts or ideas, either (hence the "Rolerai" rumored to be made from leftover parts from the Panerai contract), so the Explorer was inevitable.
It is quite frankly, the most insanely beautiful watch - the ultimate marriage of function and style I think that has ever been produced.My “Explor-a du Jour-a”:
The way it also quietly flexes it’s lack of ambiguity in dial, it’s robustness in case and bezel and bracelet and it’s dependability - that comes from its low profile size, and it’s low-key presents on the wrist.
I think that's it exactly.
Its beauty is in it elegance of design...everything that needs to be present to function optimally, and nothing that does not.
The dial is just about perfect...any less information would be slightly harder to read, any more would be busier. You could argue that 12 stick markers might be a slight improvement, but the 3,6,9 gives reference when you are viewing at an odd angle.
The case is low profile, waterproof and stainless steel...nothing there can be improved on (or at least not with the technology of the time).
The movement is precise enough to navigate with, but not a highly polished, ebauche complicated thing that needs to be handled like eggs.
I frequently complain that Rolex has suffered from "mission drift," and that pretty much everything they make today is a ghost of a tool watch, more of a cumbersome, ridiculously overpriced fashion watch. The Explorer, Sub, and GMT are the watches that EARNED the reputation that they've successfully monetized today.
hey crowd
what do you think of this case?
the movement is quartz.
lug width 19mm
I have been thinking of a quartz powered Explorer for some time now. Maybe with a 14270 dial
what do you think of this case?
the movement is quartz.
lug width 19mm
I have been thinking of a quartz powered Explorer for some time now. Maybe with a 14270 dial
No lug holes, but not bad otherwise.hey crowd
what do you think of this case?
the movement is quartz.
lug width 19mm
I have been thinking of a quartz powered Explorer for some time now. Maybe with a 14270 dial
no lug holes is why we have a dremel and our spirit of contradiction
Would you go for VH31 as well with sweep seconds? Ali has those for £60 or so. Check hand options though.no lug holes is why we have a dremel and our spirit of contradiction
at this point it's just a back of mind thought. Nothing serious. The idea would simply be to reuse the Addiesdive movement and hands, with a Rolex dial & crown. lug drill and maybe some case work.
freebalkany
Active Member
- 24/8/21
- 296
- 304
- 63
This is very nice.
I'd like a similar configuration on my vietnam build.
How did you managed to match the hands with dial lumes?
Cheers
Action_Jensen
Known Member
- 20/4/21
- 161
- 252
- 63
Hi Folks,
havent been here as frequently as i would have liked but a small update from my side.
Let me present to you the Action_Bezel!
The Idea was to create a bezel that is mostly true to Gen measures (reference photos and measuring/ converting sizes) but also fits esthetically (how do you write that?) on the slightly thicker raffles case. Important for me is that there is a low angle lower portion (that the WSO one lacks) and that it does not look as sharp as the 1016L one (I am sorry my friend, just personal preferences
The bezzel is 0.2 wider to make it slightly rounder on the edges to age it and the height is chosen that there is no (or nearly no) step between bezel and curvature of the crystal. Ill do a first test run with the T21 variant and will order soon. I will order highest tolerances to ensure the 30.6 on the inside.
Id realy like some input of you guys here, if i missed something or if there is last minute improvement to be done
havent been here as frequently as i would have liked but a small update from my side.
Let me present to you the Action_Bezel!
The Idea was to create a bezel that is mostly true to Gen measures (reference photos and measuring/ converting sizes) but also fits esthetically (how do you write that?) on the slightly thicker raffles case. Important for me is that there is a low angle lower portion (that the WSO one lacks) and that it does not look as sharp as the 1016L one (I am sorry my friend, just personal preferences
The bezzel is 0.2 wider to make it slightly rounder on the edges to age it and the height is chosen that there is no (or nearly no) step between bezel and curvature of the crystal. Ill do a first test run with the T21 variant and will order soon. I will order highest tolerances to ensure the 30.6 on the inside.
Id realy like some input of you guys here, if i missed something or if there is last minute improvement to be done
@1016 lover is the bezel king hereHi Folks,
havent been here as frequently as i would have liked but a small update from my side.
Let me present to you the Action_Bezel!
The Idea was to create a bezel that is mostly true to Gen measures (reference photos and measuring/ converting sizes) but also fits esthetically (how do you write that?) on the slightly thicker raffles case. Important for me is that there is a low angle lower portion (that the WSO one lacks) and that it does not look as sharp as the 1016L one (I am sorry my friend, just personal preferences
The bezzel is 0.2 wider to make it slightly rounder on the edges to age it and the height is chosen that there is no (or nearly no) step between bezel and curvature of the crystal. Ill do a first test run with the T21 variant and will order soon. I will order highest tolerances to ensure the 30.6 on the inside.
Id realy like some input of you guys here, if i missed something or if there is last minute improvement to be done
- 4/10/22
- 490
- 823
- 93
Here the batch from january and i have another one that will be made this week with some minor correction on the upper face flatness and the angle, stay tuned
- 4/10/22
- 490
- 823
- 93
On the bezel subject, a 1655 bezel could be nice to convert the 1675 from raffle to a 1655, but cant affotd it AT the moment, do ken have some plan to do some?
No I dont think anyone has put in a request for a 1655 bezel he does offer 2 1655 dials but they are 29mm so they wont work on the raffles 1675 cases You would have to go with yuki or viet for a dial or if we can convince him to make a 27.2 mm exp 2 dial but since its not that popular of a model I dont know if he would do it.
The bezel options are phongs son and wso on ebay I have a phong bezel
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Action_Jensen
Known Member
- 20/4/21
- 161
- 252
- 63
Is that your V2? have not seen that one jet (still have a few of your V1s) Looks really nice!Here the batch from january and i have another one that will be made this week with some minor correction on the upper face flatness and the angle, stay tuned