Who Sells the Best Vintage Explorer I?

[LHOOQ]

Posed this question on another forum recently, and didn't get any real answers. I'm hoping to have better luck here at RWI!

I recently purchased a 1016 Explorer from Hont. Although I had a positive buying experience (despite having to return the first one I received!), I wasn't totally happy with the appearance of the watch. Details on the dial are off (numerals and text in the top half are too big, some indices are off-center) and the case isn't quite right, with a lack of lug holes being the big tell. I'd wanted to cross this watch off my list, but I may be looking for a more accurate rep.

From what I can tell, the sellers with vintage Explorers on their websites are Trusty Time (1016), Watch Eden (6610, I think) and Silix (1016 + 6610). I also understand that MBW makes a version of the 1016. Am I missing anyone else?

Who sells the best vintage Explorer? I'd love to hear from anyone who's bought one.

 

[phillycheez]

i was going to buy the explorer I off hont as well, but i couldnt get the payment through.
are you talking about the modern explorer I? i heard it was one of the best out of the box reps...
Good review on the explorer I, but no advice on where to buy it.

http://www.rwg.cc/members/Review-Rolex- ... l=explorer

From what iv heard, the swiss eta version is the best... but in my opinion im just lookin for the a21j version.

please keep me updated if you find the rep cause its on my list. as well as the explorer II

 

[LHOOQ]

By vintage, I'm referring to the pre-1989 Explorers i.e. the ones without the applied markings on the dial. Here's a picture and a link to the thread I started in Hont's review section.

This particular watch has a Swiss ETA movement with 28800 bph, which is actually too fast for the 1016 (but I don't mind!). The waterproofing works great -I've been swimming all week with it- but the power reserve wound down after less than 11 hours. I took it to a watchmaker who found a gear that had dislodged. Mechanically, it's running great now. Visually, there's still a lot I don't like, though it's fooled a lot of people in the few weeks I've had it. The plexiglass dome and painted numerals just scream 'gen' to them, and they refuse to believe it's a rep even after I've told them so repeatedly!

If you want a vintage Asian Explorer that's not too expensive, you could always grab the one from Watch Eden with the yellowed markings. You'd be doing me a real favor if you could report on the quality or take a few pics!

 

[ricou2273]

Hello All,

Yes i know it's a very old thread but right now i'm interrested by the answer.

I'm not a modder and i don't want to spend to much.

I'm looking for a vintage 1016 like this one below.

So the question : wich seller sell the most accurate vintage 1016. ?

Another question : i'm in contact with narika for a mbw --> does this replica is more accurate than the others ?

BEst regards

Eric

 

[trailboss99]

Hmm, for the 1016 the MBW is probably as good as it gets.

For the later expI (both 38 and 41mm) you can't go wrong as all are nice reps. Robert had a really nice 38mm if you can find one in M2M sales, all it needs is a decent MVT as the 21j they came with was somewhat iffy.

 

[trailboss99]

Hmm, for the 1016 the MBW is probably as good as it gets.

For the later expI (both 38 and 41mm) you can't go wrong as all are nice reps. Robert had a really nice 38mm if you can find one in M2M sales, all it needs is a decent MVT as the 21j they came with was somewhat iffy.

 

[ricou2273]

Hmm, for the 1016 the MBW is probably as good as it gets.

For the later expI (both 38 and 41mm) you can't go wrong as all are nice reps. Robert had a really nice 38mm if you can find one in M2M sales, all it needs is a decent MVT as the 21j they came with was somewhat iffy.

Thank you for you answer trail.

Just to confirm Robert = trusty time ?

Regards

 

[LHOOQ]

As boss said, the MBW 1016 is the best out-of-the-box rep.

However, I would not recommend it for several reasons. First off, it is very hard to buy one, unless you are taking a trip to Bangkok soon. Second, for the price you would pay for an MBW (USD 320-400), you would be better off saving for a franken.

If you want to spend less than $250, try the 1016 from the cartel. Below $120, definitely go with Narikaa.

 

[ricou2273]

As boss said, the MBW 1016 is the best out-of-the-box rep.

However, I would not recommend it for several reasons. First off, it is very hard to buy one, unless you are taking a trip to Bangkok soon. Second, for the price you would pay for an MBW (USD 320-400), you would be better off saving for a franken.

If you want to spend less than $250, try the 1016 from the cartel. Below $120, definitely go with Narikaa.

Hello LHOOQ thaank you very much for your intervention.

In my previous mail i made a mistake : Narika is able to provide me a MBK for 275 GBP (480$).. Is it a good deal or not ? For this kind of price you are saying that i can build a franken --> would you explain please ?

BEst regards

Eric

 

[trailboss99]

Just to confirm Robert = trusty time ?

No Robert was Time4Direct, God rest his soul.
That is why I said search the M2M sales since you won't be buying one from him any longer. At any rate that was the latter model with the WG markers surrounding the lume.

 

[giobo]

I bought the 36mm new style one and it looks great...
I will not touch it..Maybe only fit a new bracelet...

 

[ricou2273]

No Robert was Time4Direct, God rest his soul.
That is why I said search the M2M sales since you won't be buying one from him any longer. At any rate that was the latter model with the WG markers surrounding the lume.

thank you for your advice.

 

[LHOOQ]

In my previous mail i made a mistake : Narika is able to provide me a MBK for 275 GBP (480$).. Is it a good deal or not ? For this kind of price you are saying that i can build a franken --> would you explain please ?

I don't wish to take business away from Narikaa, but $480 is very expensive. As I said, the MBK is the best 1016 out of the box. The case is more convincing, with softer curves than the cartel rep, and lugholes that are drilled in the correct spots. However, the MBK case is still inaccurate and difficult to mod. For example, genuine-specification crystals will not fit.

Yes, you can build a much better watch for $480 or less. I suggest you look at this thread by jmb.

Technically, it isn't a franken since there are no genuine parts used in the build. However, jmb's 2824-powered 1016 is one of the most convincing Explorers there is.

 

[ricou2273]

I bought the 36mm new style one and it looks great...
I will not touch it..Maybe only fit a new bracelet...

It could be an idea yes... but when i compare modern and vintage style with the pics of 1016's LHOOQ... i really fall in love with the vintage one

I don't wish to take business away from Narikaa, but $480 is very expensive. As I said, the MBK is the best 1016 out of the box. The case is more convincing, with softer curves than the cartel rep, and lugholes that are drilled in the correct spots. However, the MBK case is still inaccurate and difficult to mod. For example, genuine-specification crystals will not fit.

Yes, you can build a much better watch for $480 or less. I suggest you look at this thread by jmb.

Technically, it isn't a franken since there are no genuine parts used in the build. However, jmb's 2824-powered 1016 is one of the most convincing Explorers there is.

Thank you for this answer LHOOQ,

The link doesn't work. Is this thread is in RWI ?

Do you talk about the thread call : " Tiffany Explorer"
Regards

 

[LHOOQ]

Fixed!

 

[ricou2273]

cool.

thanks

 

[buhhie]

As boss said, the MBW 1016 is the best out-of-the-box rep.

However, I would not recommend it for several reasons. First off, it is very hard to buy one, unless you are taking a trip to Bangkok soon. Second, for the price you would pay for an MBW (USD 320-400), you would be better off saving for a franken.

If you want to spend less than $250, try the 1016 from the cartel. Below $120, definitely go with Narikaa.

hi, I am in Bangkok now.
Do you know where i can get that in BANGKOK?

 

[trailboss99]

Yes, MBK centre, Zone C, Floor 1
IIRC you take the middle set of escalators up to the 1st floor, step off and turn 180 degrees. The store will be in front of you about three shops along on the right. The name of the shop is Nah Piek.

 

[LHOOQ]

Or... Walk through the southern Phayathai Road entrance and see the KFC on your right. Turn right and look for it on your left. If you see an Auntie Anne's Pretzels, you've gone too far!

That's me in the pink pants.

 

[rooster133]

That's me in the pink pants.

Mate, you have to wash your t-shirts at a lower temperature. You really shrunk that one!