Maker: |
Rolex |
Model: |
Military Explorer |
Reference No.: |
1016 |
Date: |
circa 1978 |
Serial No.: |
562XXXX |
Case: |
Stainless steel case with original screw-down winding button. Reference and serial numbers correctly stamped between the lugs. Case back engraved Bund 6645-12 154-4531 and on the inside 1016 Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland Patented Stainless steel. |
Dial: |
Almost flawless superb original finish with original lume, signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified SWISS –T<25. |
Hands: |
Original Mercedes hour and minute hands with original lume fill, original lollipop seconds again with the original lume. |
Movement: |
Movement No. 975435, calibre 1570 with hacking |
Strap: |
Original Rolex stainless steel bracelet numbered 78360 links 580 |
Info: |
The 1016 Explorer may have been made in fairly large numbers but very few appear to have been made specifically for the German Army – or any other country's army for that matter! The serial number 6645 on the case cover is the NATO reference and -12 is Germany's country code. The remaining numbers (I assume) refer to the particular ‘section/regiment' of the German army that the watch was assigned to. At least one other Explorer with the same case back engraving is known to exist – but precious few others are known. The Rolex Explorer 1016 was first introduced in 1963 and it had a very successful production run until 1989. With its introduction came a new the Caliber 1560 and increased water resistance to 100m. In the mid 1970s the ref. 1016's movement was replaced with the Caliber 1570, which included the hacking feature. The hacking feature meant that the second's hand stopped when the crown was pulled out all the way for more precise time setting. Other improvements to the Explorer ref. 1016 over its over 25-year manufacturing run included solid links to the Oyster bracelet and the use of tritium rather than radium for the watch's luminous accents. |
