Vantage - First pics of the Mk II 1016 homage
I am pleased to post the first pics of a project that has been in the works for almost a year. I started sketching out the case design, which is based on the vintage Rolex 1016, last summer while I was visiting my sister-in-law out in San Francisco. Here is a short list of the specifications for this watch that should debut in the early Fall this year:
Diameter: 39 mm
Water resistance: 200 meters
Movement: ETA 2824-2, Elabore grade
Crystal: Domed sapphire
Strap: Blackwater natural rubber strap or Mk II solid-end link bracelet
The case, Mk II reference “39″16 
aka the “Vantage”, is compatible with all of the QUAD10 dials and hands. Shown below is the GS date dial with Type 53 hands and a stock date wheel. The railroad tracks on the GS dial make the watch feel smaller than it should with the new 1016 style dial. A new 369 date dial and “Mercedes-style” handset are currently in the works specifically for this watch but won’t be ready for a preview until probably the end of July.
The following is a better shot of the bracelet:
The bracelet features the following:
- Solid links with screw pins
- Solid-end links
- Mk II signed adjustable safety clasp
- Heavy guage milled deployant arm
Regarding Pre-orders:
Its a bit premature to be talking about this but I am going to address it because I know I am going to get quite a few e-mails asking about the option. Given the anticipated demand for the version with the new 369 date dial and Mercedes-style hands we will be taking pre-orders only for a Swiss Assembled/Made version of the Vantage. The other reason we are only going to take pre-orders for the Swiss Made version is because I don’t want to see my backlog get ridiculously long, which it is already approaching. Custom versions will be available but customers will have to go through the normal ordering process. As soon as we are able to post pics of the watch with the dial and handset that are currently in the works we will begin taking deposits. I hope to be able to post pics of the watch with the 369 date dial and hands by the end of July.
With the introduction of the Mk II Vantage the QUAD10 will be pulled from the line-up in July to undergo a re-design.
QUAD10 Preview Function
The QUAD10 ordering page has now been updated with the preview function. Now it is possible to see what your QUAD10 will look like before completing your order.
Some of the limitation are similar to that of the MMT preview function. Specific limitations to the current version of the QUAD10 page are:
* Bead blasted case finish is not simulated
* Crystal appearance is not simulated
The red/black date wheel is listed on the site as an option now but the date wheels will not be in stock until mid-March.