Rolex Datejust Ref. 1603 - Sunburst Taupe 'Sigma' Dial w/ White Text Unpolished
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 is a Reference 1603 from circa 1973 and it comes to us in strong overall condition, with a fantastic unpolished case, 'engine-turned' steel bezel, and matching Jubilee bracelet — all of which show matching normal wear with no damage of note. Inside, the sunburst taupe 'Sigma' dial is beautifully preserved, retaining a crisp and vibrant sunburst finishing seemingly devoid of the usual degradation found on colored dials from this era. It also features applied indices along with white text, making for a 'ghost'-like appearance in certain lighting. The Tritium plots and the matching handset both exhibit a light and attractive patina throughout.
All things considered, this is tough to beat, be it for your one vintage watch, or as an additional to a growing collection.
Condition Report & Details
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Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
- Warranty does not cover internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
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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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