The Rolex Datejust was first introduced in 1945, with the ref. 4467, in celebration of the firm’s 40th anniversary. Being the world’s first waterproof automatic wristwatch to incorporate a date disc and aperture at 3 o’clock, it enjoyed instant recognition upon its release. The ref. 1601 came onto the scene much later in 50s in various metals with fluted jubilee bezels, along with variants of cases and bracelets in stainless steel, bicoloured or golds.
Preserved in excellent condition, the present example is fitted with a warm silvered sunburst pie-pan dial, complimented by gilt faceted baton hands and indexes and a well-preserved bezel. The caseback is further adorned with a unique engraving, “A DIN DON POPPI S.p.A”, possibly to commemorate a joyous personal memory or event. Encased in 18K pink gold, this timepiece is a classic Datejust model that will never go out of style and can be worn on any occasion.
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.