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Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 - Two-Tone Blue Dial

SOLD

Hard to believe - but the Datejust has been around since 1945. It is far older than its bigger and attention-hogging Submariner brethren. The Datejust was Rolex’s idea of the perfect everyday watch. The robustness of the Oyster case, combined with the elegance of an Oyster Perpetual. The ‘4 digit’ series of Datejust are particularly attractive for their pie-pan dials which offer a layer of three dimensionality to the dials that went away with the advent of quickset date and 5 digit Datejusts. These early Datejusts were available as the 1601 - with a fluted gold bezel, or the 1603 - with an engine turned steel bezel. They are also the first Datejusts to become available in a myriad of colors and styles.

The present example is a 1601 in two-tone yellow gold and steel featuring the iconic gold fluted bezel with a Sunburst Blue dial. While two lume plots have some slight wear , this blue beauty has another trick up its sleeve. The bezel has oxidized to a stunning purple-blue color which plays off the dial just so when the sun hits this watch. Fitted to its period correct folded link Rolex Jubilee bracelet, this is an incredible everyday wearing vintage watch for the person who wants something a little more special than a standard fare Datejust.

 

*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting

Two-Tone 1974 Automatic Sport

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."

"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."

From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.

Oliver & Clarke