Rolex 1016 Explorer from 1960 – the “silver lining” dial

The early Rolex 1016 Explorers are favourites of mine, especially in great condition like this example. The detail that matters here is the “silver lining” dial.

On these dials the minute track, the Rolex signature and the line “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” are printed in silver. This colour scheme is found only on early 1016s; later examples have the “gilt” scheme. Silver lining dials are rare.

They were also made with the épargne technique, which was replaced later by décalque (transfer printing). It was a demanding process for the dial maker. The base plate is first silvered (later gilded) and polished. The minute track and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer lettering are then protected with a special lacquer, and the dial is coloured in a galvanic black bath. Once it has dried, the lacquer is removed, revealing the silver of the base plate.

An early silver lining 1016 is rare, and rarer still in great condition.