Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601/9 - White Gold W/ Black 'Gilt' 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 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 1963, this example comes to us in fantastic overall condition. The case featured thick and symmetrical, with deep and clear hallmarks on the lug undersides and shows just light sign of wear. The characteristic 'fluted' white gold bezel remains crisp, with defined finishing and shows matching wear. This piece even retains its correct white gold crown. Inside, the 'gilt' dial is nicely preserved, with it's rich glossy black color largely preserved with just faint areas of 'stippling' present when viewed under magnification. The Tritium plots are evenly patinated and present in all positions with just partial loss to a few, and the correct 'alpha' handset matches beautifully.