130Σ
Rolex
Ref. 1601
Datejust
A highly rare and attractive white gold wristwatch with centre seconds, date and "tropical" dial
- Estimate
- CHF15,000 - 25,000€12,900 - 21,600$15,500 - 25,800
CHF18,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1964
- Reference No
- 1601
- Movement No
- D33'428
- Case No
- 1'053'969
- Model Name
- Datejust
- Material
- 18K white gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Alligator
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 35.5mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Datejust model is predominantly cased in stainless steel and gold. Among different kinds of gold metals, white metal Datejusts are much rarer than their yellow gold counterparts.
Completely understated, this example features a rich black lacquer dial that has turned "tropical" with age, complimenting the gilt text wonderfully. This effect can only be achieved when the dial interacts with the sun, causing the pigment to react and "turn". The center of the dial is a lighter caramel tone, emanating and growing darker towards the edges, giving the watch a dégradé finish. No two dials age in the same manner.
The case is furthermore preserved in excellent condition with sharp finishes to the top of the lugs and a crisp hallmark to the back of the lug.
Completely understated, this example features a rich black lacquer dial that has turned "tropical" with age, complimenting the gilt text wonderfully. This effect can only be achieved when the dial interacts with the sun, causing the pigment to react and "turn". The center of the dial is a lighter caramel tone, emanating and growing darker towards the edges, giving the watch a dégradé finish. No two dials age in the same manner.
The case is furthermore preserved in excellent condition with sharp finishes to the top of the lugs and a crisp hallmark to the back of the lug.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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