Rolex
Rolex Explorer 1016
The Rolex Explorer (reference 1016) is a 36 mm stainless steel watch with a black dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 1560 and is water resistant to 100 m. It was made from 1963 to 1989.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 1016
- Collection
- Explorer
- Case size
- 36 mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Crystal
- Acrylic
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Bracelet / strap
- Oyster, stainless steel
Dial and bezel
- Dial
- Black
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 1560
- Frequency
- 18,000 vph
- Jewels
- 26
- Functions
- Time only
Production
- Production
- 1963–1989
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
1016 Black Gilt
Gilt; glossy
1016 Black Matte
Matte; tritium lume
How it compares within the Explorer family
Side by side with other references in the same collection, from the catalog.
| Reference | Size | Material | Dial | Caliber | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1016 (This watch) | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 1560 | 1963–1989 |
| 114270 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 3130 | 2001–2010 |
| 124270 | 36 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3230 | 2021– |
| 124273 | 36 mm | Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel/18k yellow gold) | Black | 3230 | 2021– |
| 14270 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 3000 | 1989–2001 |
| 214270 | 39 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3132 | 2010–2021 |
| 224270 | 40 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3230 | 2023– |
| 6350 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | A296 | 1953–1954 |
| 6610 | 36 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 1030 | 1955–1963 |
About the Explorer family
The Explorer was launched in 1953, the year Rolex supported the first ascent of Everest, and has stayed one of the brand's simplest sports watches: time only, a black dial with 3, 6 and 9 numerals and a smooth bezel. The long-running ref. 1016 defined the vintage era, followed by the 14270, 114270 and, in 2010, the 39 mm ref. 214270.
In 2021 Rolex returned to 36 mm with ref. 124270 and added a Yellow Rolesor version, ref. 124273, a first for the model. A 40 mm ref. 224270 followed in 2023. Dealers tell the generations apart by case size, dial print and luminous material, and on the 214270 by whether the 3, 6 and 9 numerals carry luminous fill, which changed during production.
Quick answers
- What size is the Rolex Explorer 1016?
- The Rolex Explorer 1016 has a 36 mm case.
- What movement does the Rolex Explorer 1016 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 1560.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Explorer 1016?
- It is water resistant to 100 metres.
- Is the Rolex Explorer 1016 still in production?
- No. It was made until 1989.
- When did the Rolex Explorer 1016 come out?
- It was introduced in 1963 and made until 1989.
- What is the Rolex Explorer 1016 made of?
- The case is stainless steel. Bracelet or strap: Oyster, stainless steel.
Catalog facts checked October 2026.