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ROLEX EXPLORER I “LUFTWAFFE BUND” – Ref. 1016 – Stainless Steel – 36mm – Automatic – BUND Issue – 1979 – Very Good Condition - 99 Pieces

We are excited to present this remarkable Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 “Luftwaffe BUND”, an exceedingly rare and historically significant military-issued version of the iconic Explorer, produced in 1979 and delivered in a limited run of only 99 pieces for the German Bundeswehr (BUND).

The Rolex Explorer 1016 has long been celebrated as the purest expression of Rolex’s tool-watch philosophy—robust, legible, and purpose-built. This rare BUND-issued example elevates that legacy, representing a unique intersection between civilian precision and military heritage.

Each of these special-order watches was engraved with the official Versorgungsnummer (Supply Number) on the caseback:

6645-12-154-4531, where 6645 designates NATO supply classification, 12 identifies Germany, and the remaining digits denote the national issue code. These engravings were performed through Rolex Köln, as documented.

According to Konrad Knirim’s “Militäruhren” (Bottrop, 2002, p. 618), the 1016 BUND Explorers were distributed to the Luftwaffe, Rolex’s final mechanical issue before quartz models replaced them in the early 1980s. Most were withdrawn from service by 1982, making surviving examples exceedingly scarce today.

This piece features the classic 36mm stainless steel Oyster case with screw-down crown and smooth bezel, paired with its original Oyster bracelet with 580 end links. The original matte Tritium dial displays the signature 3–6–9 Explorer configuration and luminous “T<25” Swiss marking, topped by the characteristic Tritium triangle at 12 o’clock.

Powering the watch is the legendary Rolex Caliber 1570, an automatic chronometer movement renowned for its accuracy and durability.

This piece is accompanied by:

Original Rolex stainless steel Oyster bracelet with 580 end links

Versorgungsnummer NATO-BUND engraving (6645-12-154-4531)

One-year mechanical warranty through our in-house watch lab

Condition: Very good vintage condition with well-preserved case proportions, clear military engraving, and an attractive Tritium dial with natural aging.

“An exceptionally rare military-issue Rolex — the Explorer I Ref. 1016 ‘Luftwaffe BUND’ unites tool-watch purity, Bundeswehr history, and collector-grade rarity in one understated masterpiece.”

THE WATCH EXPERTS – Established 1991 – Trusted Buyers & Sellers of Fine Timepieces

— All watches offered are in stock and available for immediate viewing —

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