77
Rolex
Ref. 1600
Datejust
A very rare and well-preserved stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, silvered dial with oversized block indexes, date and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$20,000 - 40,000€2,300 - 4,600$2,600 - 5,100
HK$50,800
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1967
- Reference No
- 1600
- Movement No
- 059’684
- Case No
- 1’744’965; inside caseback stamped “1601”, “IV.67”
- Model Name
- Datejust
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “6251H” and “2.68”
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In the 1960s, we witnessed a new era of remarkable dial designs that challenged the perception of watches as conservative objects.
In a 1967-1968 catalogue, Singer presented numerous new designs, print techniques, markers, layouts, and finishes for various brands. One of the more unique and stunning dials is the present pie-pan dial with beautiful, funky block markers, a surviving design from the Singer books that went into production in very low numbers and is found in 4-digit Datejusts and even some exclusive Daytonas. The Singer stamp on the backside of the dial completes the provenance of this timepiece.
The beautiful block markers, filled with a mirror surface has a unique feel on the wrist, reflecting light at every angle. The shape, height, and position of the indexes are intriguing and clearly add an unusual dynamic to the sunburst silver dial. The minimalistic design of the Datejust perfectly matches the Japanese lifestyle, a way of living that embraces simplicity and austerity. Hence, it has enjoyed a great following in Japan since the inception of this iconic watch, which has been a major and successful market for Rolex.
Preserved in excellent condition, this uber rare dial from circa 1967 would be a prized addition to any discerning Datejust collection.
In a 1967-1968 catalogue, Singer presented numerous new designs, print techniques, markers, layouts, and finishes for various brands. One of the more unique and stunning dials is the present pie-pan dial with beautiful, funky block markers, a surviving design from the Singer books that went into production in very low numbers and is found in 4-digit Datejusts and even some exclusive Daytonas. The Singer stamp on the backside of the dial completes the provenance of this timepiece.
The beautiful block markers, filled with a mirror surface has a unique feel on the wrist, reflecting light at every angle. The shape, height, and position of the indexes are intriguing and clearly add an unusual dynamic to the sunburst silver dial. The minimalistic design of the Datejust perfectly matches the Japanese lifestyle, a way of living that embraces simplicity and austerity. Hence, it has enjoyed a great following in Japan since the inception of this iconic watch, which has been a major and successful market for Rolex.
Preserved in excellent condition, this uber rare dial from circa 1967 would be a prized addition to any discerning Datejust collection.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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