870
Rolex
Ref. 1601
Datejust, Red Jasper in pink gold
A highly rare and attractive pink gold wristwatch with bracelet, red jasper dial, center seconds and date
Full-Cataloguing
- Extremely rare in pink gold with Jubilee bracelet
- Rare red jasper dial
- Hallmarks and numbers well-preserved
Rolex released its very first Datejust ref. 4467 in 1945 to celebrate the firm’s 40th anniversary. Fitted with a date wheel at 3 o’clock, the watch featured an Oyster case, ‘Bubble Back’ movement and ‘coin edge’ bezel. At the time of production, the Datejust was the world’s first automatic chronometer wristwatch to display the date on the dial. The ref. 1601, which was a later iteration of the original Datejust, was launched in 1959, and was made in a variety of metals, including stainless steel, two-tone, and gold, with fluted bezels and various case and bracelet options.
In very good condition, the present example from circa 1977 showcases an uber rare red jasper dial - arguably one of the most collectible of all the stone dials ever made. While most jasper dials are typically green, the brownish-red hue of this dial beautifully complements the warm pink gold case. It is uncommon that the present watch is cased in pink gold with a Jubilee bracelet, making this dial/case/bracelet combination incredibly rare.
The red jasper dial itself is intact and does not display any cracks. As no hard stone dial is alike, each dial is slightly different, giving the watch its own character. Jasper is a chalcedony stone and thought to have healing and metaphysical properties with red jasper associated with grounding and strength. A timeless classic, this Datejust is sure to captivate with its enduring style and stunning dial.
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.