Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1967 Reference No: 1601 Movement No: D'981'470 Case No: 1'567'715 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Rolex released its very first Datejust, reference 4467, in 1945 to celebrate the firm’s 40th anniversary. Fitted with a date wheel at 3 o’clock, the watch featured an Oyster case, ‘Bubble Back’ movement and ‘coin edge’ bezel. At the time of production, the DateJust was the world’s first automatic chronometer wristwatch to display the date on the dial. 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 is still glossy in appearance. Displaying incredible charisma and character, the dial has aged gracefully over time. Furthermore, the case is preserved in excellent condition with sharp hallmarks beneath the lugs.
Founded 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.