Rolex Datejust Ref. 1603 'Bamboo' - Sunburst Silver Patina 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.
The piece that we have here is a very early Reference 1603 dating to circa 1960 and it possesses a few early design details that we love. Being a Ref. 1603, it features a stainless steel bezel, but rather than the usual 'engine-turned' steel bezel or even smooth steel bezel, it features what has become known to collectors as a 'bamboo' bezel.
It remains in strong overall condition, with a very gently previously polished case, a matching Jubilee bracelet, and the bezel itself has seemingly been spared of polishing and retains excellent definition. Inside, the sunburst silver dial has developed a light and uniform patina, with deeply patinated luminous plots, applied indices, and a 'dauphine' handset to tie it all together.
For many of us, this is what vintage is all about: subtle details, honest condition that tells a story, and uniqueness in wear/patina. This one embodies all of the above.
And like any 4-digit Datejust, it can be your one vintage watch, or as an additional to a growing collection.
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