Mk1, ‘Frog Foot’ 1016 Rolex Explorer

Have you ever looked down at your vintage Explorer and thought, ‘Yeah this lovely, but I wish the Rolex coronet looked a little more like a frog’s foot’? Me neither. And yet, there are those among us who do. Or at least the market would seem to indicate such, as Mk1 or ‘Frog Foot’ 1016s…

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Tropical Gilt 1016 Rolex Explorer

1016-Rolex-Explorer-Tropical-Gilt

Despite often speaking about striving to feature a diverse range of interesting wristwatches, here I am presenting another Explorer simply for the fact that I love its patina. Yes, there was a lovely 6150 here just last week. But I’m a simple man, and when a level of perfectly honest patina mixed with harsh UV…

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6150 ‘Pre-Explorer’ Rolex Precision

6150-Rolex-Pre-Explorer

Many will argue that the ref. 6350 is Rolex’s first Explorer. Yet, the DNA which saw what many would consider the core of the Explorer design, that being its 3-6-9 dial, began here in the ref. 6150. That simple change from the previous triangle indices at every hour in 1952 went on to become lore…

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Value Prop: Tritium Service Dial 1016 Rolex Explorer

Tritium-Service-Dial-1016-Rolex-Explorer

I don’t even think it’s contentious for me to admit that I fundamentally distrust people who don’t love the 1016. An Alpinist for the affluent, the 1016’s humble can-do practicality and tritium dial prove irresistible in the long-term for the vast majority of watch collectors. Many Rolex devotees have a preference for fat font dials,…

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1960 Greenland Expedition-Issued A404 Smiths Explorer

A404-Smiths-Explorer-1960-Greenland-Expedition-Issued

Greenland is an unrelenting place. Cold, wet, windy, rocky, and unconquered in places even today. We, the horological hardcore, know and love the fact of Smith’s co-ascension on Everest with an early Explorer. These were watches built to purpose, that of weathering all conditions. This ref. A404 is in fact the same reference as that…

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A Well-Preserved 1016 Explorer I

Rolex-1016-Explorer

I don’t even think it’s contentious for me to admit that I fundamentally distrust people who don’t love the 1016. An Alpinist for the affluent, the 1016’s humble can-do practicality and tritium dial prove irresistible in the long-term for the vast majority of watch collectors. Many Rolex devotees have a preference for fat font dials,…

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Explorer-Dial Rolex 5513

Rolex-Submariner-5513-Explorer-Dial

5513s are dime-a-dozen and that’s a good thing. Rolex’s production today is about equal the entirety of the rest of Switzerland, combined. Desire for vintage models is huge and the 5513 is a perfect Submariner to meet that demand. However, one of the best things about the 5513 generation is that there is depth within…

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Coffee-Dialed Rolex 1016 Explorer

Tropical-Rolex-1016-Explorer

There is nothing I can say about the 1016 Rolex Explorer which has not been said already. It’s one of the most understated yet important references of the Swiss Manufacture’s history. It sports a plethora of famous owners, every day wearability, dress potential, and (most importantly) humility. The 1016 might just be the most tasteful…

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