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Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601/9 - White Gold Black 'Gilt' 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 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.

And then, there are sold white gold Datejusts, like the one that we have here — rarer still!

Dating to circa 1964, this piece comes to us with a fantastic case with beautiful thick and symmetrical lugs and very light signs of wear for its age. The characteristic 'fluted' white gold bezel is also in superb condition. Inside, the glossy black 'gilt' dial shows some wear from age around a few of the markers as well as around the text. The Tritium plots show some loss but present very well and match the very attractive 'Dauphine' handset beautifully.

Particularly when fitted to a leather strap, this 'elevated' and very rare piece lends itself to a very special and elegant wearing experience while remaining very much under-the-radar. If you know, you know.

White Gold 1964 Automatic 36mm

"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

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