Rolex Explorer 1016 “Frog” - Black Matte Dial MK1

The story of the Explorer traces its origins to two earlier "bubbleback" models: references 6098 and 6150, equipped with the calibre A296. These watches, used by adventurers and mountaineers in the early 1950s, lacked the "Explorer" name and the iconic Arabic 3-6-9 dial that later defined the model line. It wasn’t until 1953, with the introduction of references 6298 and 6350, that the recognizable Explorer dial appeared. The Mercedes-style hands were added shortly thereafter. Rolex capitalized on a climbers' historic achievement, which showcased the robustness of its Oyster cases in extreme environments. To commemorate this feat, the brand officially launched the Explorer in 1953, featuring an enhanced crown and the same domed case back as its predecessors. This marked the beginning of the Explorer’s identity, with earlier references like 6098, 6298, 6150, and 6350 setting the stage for the evolution of the collection, culminating in the iconic ref. 1016. In the late 1950s, Rolex introduced ref. 6610, which housed the slimmer cal. 1030 movement. This innovation allowed for a flatter case back, signaling the end of the Bubbleback era. However, ref. 6610 had a brief production run as Rolex quickly advanced its watchmaking technologies. By 1959, Rolex released the Explorer ref. 1016, replacing ref. 6610. Powered by an improved movement from the 15XX series, the 1016 solidified the Explorer’s hallmark design traits. This model remained in production until 1989, when it was succeeded by the modernized Explorer ref. 14270. This timepiece, dated from 1969, features a MK1 matte black “frog” dial. The watch has been kept in good condition.