Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1963 Reference No: 1601 Movement No: D341570 Case No: 980'673 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
The white gold case and black glossy dial of this example of reference 1601 already propel it to the higher tier of rarity for the model, but the extremely unusual topicalization which occurred over the years truly makes this specimen a unique piece. The right half of the dial has developed a hardly ever seen bronze “leopard spot” tropicalization. A truly remarkable effect which will please and surprise the lucky new owner at every single glance for years to come.
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.