Rolex Datejust Ref. 1600/3 - Blue 'Denim' Dial
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 white gold bezel, or the 1603, with an engine-turned steel bezel. The 4-Digit Datejusts were also the first series to become available with a myriad of dial colors and case and bracelet materials.
This particular piece is a very rare Reference 1600/3 dating to circa 1968. It comes to us in very nice overall condition, with a gently previously polished case and smooth yellow gold bezel, and a matching two-tone Jubilee bracelet. Sneaky rare reference aside, the dial within is the real highlight here. Blue in color, it features the same 'linen' texture that is most commonly found on silver and champagne colored dials, resulting in what can only be described as a 'denim' appearance. It remains in fantastic condition, with a nice vibrant blue color, fully-intact Tritium plots, and a nicely matching yellow gold handset.
This is easily one of the rarest variants of a 4-digit Datejust that we have ever come across, and just like any vintage Datejust, it can easily be your one vintage watch or as an additional to a growing collection.
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