Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601/8 - 'Havana' Sunburst Dial W/ Papers & Booklet

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 wear also the first series to become available with a myriad of dial colors and case and bracelet materials.

This particular piece, for starters, is a solid-gold Datejust, which are rare to begin with, full stop. Rolex did not make a lot of these so it didn’t compete with its more expensive sibling, the Day-Date, which were exclusively produced in solid gold.

Dating to circa 1973, the piece that we have here comes to us in fantastic overall condition. The case is likely-unpolished and retains symmetrical lugs with visible factory finishing and shows normal signs of wear from age and use with only one small notable impression. The 'fluted' yellow gold bezel is also seemingly unpolished and shows matching normal wear. Inside, the sunburst taupe-tone 'Havana' dial is simply beautiful and also in fantastic condition. The Tritium plots remain fully-intact and exhibit an even patina and are complimented by a perfectly matching handset.

As if this piece did not speak for itself, it is also accompanied by a period Datejust booklet and it's punched papers.

This then, with its 18k construction, uncommon dial, and fantastic overall condition is truly a special piece and remains something of a bargain when compared to its Day-Date siblings.