After looking for a 1016 Explorer for a year, it finally came down to two ... a pristine Tiffany from the 70's or an early 60's model from Eric Ku. I asked you ... Giuseppe said he'd go with the rarer Tiffany. John Ireland said "Tiffany on the dial is sissy!" (I'm paraphrasing).

I went with the rarer Tiffany. Beautiful, but couldn't get the earlier model outta my head. Happy ending: Eric was gracious enough to trade on favorable terms ...
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To me, it's the perfect Rolex:

* It's iconic in its proportion and design (there's a reason, other than rarity, that you folks value an Explorer dial on a Sub - it looks good!)
* This particular example comes from a "golden age" - all the goodies of the fifties (glossy/gilt - real gilt!, chapter ring, SWISS only) with the more robust (so I learned here) 15XX movement
* It's Ian Fleming, not Cubby Broccoli ... I don't SCUBA, fly a plane or race cars. I body surf, fly as a passenger, and drive fast on public roads. And the ruggedness and functionality of the Explorer is exactly what I need and nothing more.
* It's the perfect companion to my other "Perfect Watch" (with apologies to Michael Friedberg)
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So, to the real point of this post: almost everything that went into my acquisition of this watch I garnered from VRF. I learned to shop the seller, not the watch. And I learned to trust Eric from all of the positive posts and the respect shown his posts. And I learned about Steve Mulholland (from whom I bought a domed Tropic 22, which I will have installed as soon as I can bear to give up the watch for awhile) and I met John Buckley on 47th St (who promised to help with a bracelet, if I choose to go in that direction). Even the 2526 in the picture came from a VRF member, Matt Bain. You provide collectively a priceless resource ... and much entertainment when you start calling each other names ... for relatively naive buyers such as myself. So,thank you. I think you should keep the contribution option open so those of us who derive so much value from the Forum can help keep it thriving. And I know you treat your opinions and advice carefully, but beware of taking too much responsibility for those who juat throw a dial or watch up asking for your validation or opinion.

One last thing: I'm deeply in love with my wife and with my watches. At this point in my relationship with them, I'd just as soon stay ignorant of any spare parts or re-do's in their past.

Congratulations! Absolutely stunning! As much as I love the subs with all their variation and history there is undoubtedly something special about the 1016 and this one is especially charming. Wear it in the best of health.


I've been a lurker on this forum for a very long time and it is one of the few places I visit several times everyday and like you derive a great deal of value and pleasure from. I would wholeheartedly echo your sentiment to opening up the contribution.

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two iconic watches. For me, the explorer exactly as you have it is the only one to get. The dial is a thing of beauty, and gilt dials are what got me into vintage rolexes in the first place.

And I can't put up this post without commenting on your 2526. The most iconic of all time only watches as far as I'm concerned. The porcelain dial on that watch is simply in a class by itself. Not to mention the strength of the proportions and a movement that is historically significant, and impressive.

Biggest congrats!

Really!
The 1016 is one of my favorit Rolex, you're right, an iconiq watch; and the 2526.... mummmh, like the Milestone 2551, she wear one of the best PP calibre, the 12600AT... and the porcelain dial...oh oh oh !
Gorgeous.
many thanks for sharing and I hope you'll enjoy these two stunning watches.
congrats
Quentin

manly choice. With the Tiffany dial I would have a drink with you in broad daylight. But without the Tiffany dial, I would be willing to serve in the Navy with you. Even on a submarine.

Now I will go out on my balcony and fire my AK47 into the air in honor of your manly watch.

Seriously...very very nice...enjoy.

John Ireland

and see how you like it on the Explorer. It will give it that Everest look and feel.


John Ireland

nt

explorer was my 1st rolex bought in 1969 just had it overhauled and its on a black NATO like yours. that looks so nice !

and good ta$te validated all in the $ame thread. BTW, a couple of u$ offerred to re$pond to an opportunity to become contributing member$. Too $ubtle?

...for us to consider taking your money, maybe next year...or the next.