Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1968 Reference No: 1607 stamped 1601 inside the case back Movement No: D32'191 Case No: 1'998'860 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex President, reference 8723, end links stamped 55B, max length 185mm. Clasp/Buckle: Folding clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Rolex’s famed Day-Date reference 1807 is characterized by the bark finishing featured on the bezel and centre links. The Rolex Datejust reference 1607 is characterized by the same bark finish on the bezel and bracelet.
The present example is extremely rare, as it is fitted with a stunning tiger's eye dial and gilt-colored print. The delicate stone dial features an aperture for the date, and gorgeous yellow gold hour and minute hands with sweep centre seconds.
This watch is in attractive condition, and has a particularly rare and fascinating dial combination suited for all vintage Rolex collectors of all types.
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.