Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1974 Reference No: 1601 Movement No: D364040 Case No: 4’061’265 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1945, Rolex’s Datejust model was originally called the Datejust Jubilee as a celebration of the renowned firm’s 40th anniversary. Over its long history, now spanning eight decades, the Datejust model, similar to the Day-Date, has been produced in many different variations; from different metal types to exotic dials and textured cases. In 1954, the Datejust would introduce the iconic cyclops date magnifier, an emblematic feature found on nearly all Rolex watches with a date aperture up to the present day.
The reference 1601, such as the present watch, was in production from 1959 until 1977 and featured a fluted bezel. Rolex embellished their Datejusts and Day-Dates with additional flair and exuberance by creating delicate hard stone dials to replace the typical silvered dials. Only highest-quality semi-precious stones were sliced and fitted within precious metal (and in rare cases, stainless steel) Datejust cases. These hard stones include tiger’s eye, rubellite, coral, lapis lazuli, malachite, obsidian, opal, and ammonite, as well as jasper like the present lot.
This Datejust from circa 1974 is a very rare red jasper example since most jasper dials typically have a green hue, while this fine example features a uniformly brownish-red hue with no green inclusions. 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.
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.
