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Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 - Grey 'Satin' Dial Unpolished

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

This particular piece, a Reference 1601 from circa 1970, comes to us with a strong, honest case showing normal signs of wear throughout with some sleeve polish present and no significant blemishes or damage. The characteristic 'fluted' white gold bezel is in matching condition showing normal signs of wear. Inside, the satin dark grey dial shows some wear around the applied indices — typical of colored dials from this era — and retains fully-intact Tritium plots which shows an attractive, uniform patina. The handset matches nicely and shows light oxidation. This piece comes fitted to a correct folded-link Jubilee bracelet with a signed blade clasp in condition consistent with the rest of the watch. 

All in all, a well-rounded example of what could be your one watch!

Stainless Steel 1970 Unpolished 36mm

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

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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