When Rolex returned to a 36mm case diameter in the Swiss made replica Rolex Explorer watches, I was both enthused and a bit worried. Enthused in the sense that, as a ref. 1016 stan, Rolex had finally admitted a mistake in the model’s evolution, recognizing the classic sizing as the correct way forward from the darkness that is the 2010 to 2021, ref. 214270 madness. My favorite watch was back, available brand-new from Rolex. Shortly after, the enthusiasm wore off and turned to a cautious worry. One aspect of vintage that I enjoy is the category’s ability to hold a market that is decoupled from that of modern AAA UK Rolex fake watches. Would a new 36mm Explorer tie the vintage examples like the 1016 to this whipsawing madness relative to vintage prices?

Turns out, not really. At least so far, the fundamentals of what makes vintage high quality Rolex replica watches special have held up to the added pressure of the back-to-36mm ref. 124270 Explorer. Luxury Rolex copy watches, or any brand, can revert back to vintage-era designs but the inherent warmth and unique nature of a vintage example will always stand apart from the new counterpart. I love both but modern watches and vintage watches are inherently quite different. As buyers, sellers, and collectors, we should treat them as such.

Speaking of warmth and uniqueness, look no further than the example we have this week for what matte-dialed 1016 Explorer should look like. With just the right amount of creamy patina on the luminous markers and an even tone to the dial itself, this is the quintessential matte perfect replica Rolex Explorer watches. Dating to 1969, this is referred to as a “Mark 1” matte dial by collectors and is easily recognizable by its “Frog’s Foot” Rolex coronet shape. Of the matte dial “Marks,” I do prefer this type for the simple fact that it is early in the run. Sometimes I am vintage best Rolex super clone watches snob like that, preferring the earlier iterations for no other reason than that they are early.

Moreso than dial types, for a matte 1016 it really comes down to the patina of the lume and condition of the case, the example we have here scores highly in both categories. We are extremely happy to get the Rolex fake watches for men on to a new wrist.