Rolex Datejust Ref. 1600 - Matte Black 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 Reference 1600 from circa 1969 and it comes to us in strong overall condition. The case has been tastefully previously unpolished and shows only light signs of wear throughout with symmetrical proportions. The smooth stainless steel bezel is also lightly previously polished and shows matching light wear. The dial inside, black in color, features a matte surface with very uncommon silver text, rather than the usual white. It is very nicely preserved with only faint edge wear, nicely patinated Tritium plots, and a matching handset. It comes fitted to a Jubilee bracelet with a blade clasp.

Black-dialed Datejusts are less common than you may think... And there is almost some Explorer-like sportiness about them, while of course, still being a Datejust. That is to say, like any 4-digit Datejust, it can be your one vintage watch, or as an additional to a growing collection.