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Rolex Datejust Ref. 1603 - 'Ghost' Dial

SOLD

Straight Facts

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, like the present example. The 4-Digit series is also the first Datejust to become available in a myriad of colors and styles.

The present example is what is known as a ‘Ghost’ Dial. Owing its name to the light grey fade that the dial has taken on over time. These most likely started out life as a darker grey dial that has aged over the years to this extremely attractive light grey, and is one of the most desirable and rare configurations. Combined with light, white printing, it’s easy to see why they have earned the ‘Ghost’ moniker. With perfect lume plots and and almost no signs of dial wear, which is common on these types of dials, the rarity factor is dramatically increased. Fitted to a period-correct USA-made Rolex jubilee bracelet, this is an incredible everyday wearing vintage watch for the person who wants something a little more special than a standard fare Datejust.

*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting

Stainless Steel 1977 Automatic Dress

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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.

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