Space-Dweller
Explorer Space-Dweller 1016 — Space-Dweller
A 1016 whose gilt dial reads “Space-Dweller” in silver instead of “Explorer”, said to have been made in small numbers for Japan after the Mercury astronauts’ 1963 visit. Perezcope notes the name is printed raised on top of the finished dial, and that several known watches were assembled from loose dials sold in 2008; around 13 examples are known.
Serials run from about 516,xxx (1959) into the R and L letter series of 1987–1989. Dial types were not strictly sequential: some matte dials reappear late in the run.
Identifying details
- “Space-Dweller” signature
Reads “Space-Dweller” where the dial would read “Explorer”.
- Explorer dial
Arabic 3, 6 and 9 hour markers.
- Open chapter ring
Minute hashes not joined by an outer ring.
Variants of 1016
Reference overview →| Variant | Production |
|---|---|
| Gilt Type 0 (OCC) | c. 1959–c. 1960 |
| Gilt Type 1 | 1960–1962 |
| Gilt Type 2 | c. 1960–1963 |
| Gilt Type 2 · Gilt Type 2, Exclamation Point and Underline | 1962–1963 |
Case & movement
- Reference
- 1016
- Production
- c. 1966–c. 1967
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case diameter
- 36 mm
- Crown
- 6 mm
- Crown guards
- None
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Crystal
- Acrylic (Tropic 22)
More specifications (4)
- Movement
- Automatic
Movement
Rolex 1570
Same architecture as the 1560 at a higher frequency. Gained hacking seconds in 1972 without a change of designation.
Automatic · 19,800 vph · 26 jewels
Read more
- ‘Space-Dweller’ 1016 Rolex ExplorerRead more at Hairspring (opens in a new tab)
- Reference Points: A Comprehensive Collector's Guide To The Rolex Explorer IRead more at HODINKEE (opens in a new tab)
- Space Junk – The Reality of the Infamous Rolex ‘Space-Dweller’Read more at Perezcope (opens in a new tab)