Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1964 Reference No: 1601 Movement No: D98'314 Case No: 1'072'097 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee and COSC Certificate
Catalogue Essay
The Datejust's story began in 1945, when Rolex produced reference 4467 to commemorate the manufacture's 40th anniversary. Featuring a coin-edge bezel and an aperture for the date, the model showcased a completely new bracelet design named the "Jubilee".
While the Datejust has been reincarnated many times since its inception, Rolex has always retained the model's DNA with a reeded bezel and clean, geometric forms.
The present watch, in excellent condition, is a particularly charismatic version of the famous Datejust. The glossy black dial cased in gold with gold indexes provides a visually enchanting contrast.
Founded 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.