Brand: | Rolex |
Model: | Datejust |
Reference: | 1601 |
Gender: | men/unisex |
Year: | 1973 |
Material: | yellow gold |
Dial Color: | silver |
Dimensions: | 36 mm |
Watch Movement: | automatic |
Bracelet/Strap: | leather strap with original Rolex buckle |
Box/Paper: | Handmade Leather Travel Pouch IF ordered at WRIST ICONS |
Condition: | good |
This is a rare opportunity to buy a 1973Rolex Datejust with a yellow golden case. Rolex Datejust models are not so rare. But Datejust models featuring a yellow golden case with an immaculate white dial; they are really rare. So pull the trigger and treat yourself on a lavish yellow golden cased and white pie-pan dialed Datejust!
The Datejust has set the bar for luxury watches since 1945, when this Rolex© marvel became the archetype for the modern watch. Inspired for and by the ocean, the Datejust’s revolution was a fully waterproof, automatic chronometer framing a date in the window--the first of its kind the world ever knew..
The 1960s saw Rolex working to secure their place at horology’s top table, with an increasing focus on the sort of small, incremental changes to their range that all add up to huge improvements right across the board.
It brought us the ref. 1680 ‘Red’ Submariner, the first in the series to include a date complication, as well as its bigger, Comex-inspired sibling, the Double Red Sea-Dweller.
Mid-decade, the ref. 1601 Datejust was launched. With a caliber upgrade from the previous Cal. 1065, it was now powered for the first time by Rolex’s own 1500 series. Built around the architecture of the base Cal. 1530, early versions used the Cal. 1560, and received a further update in 1971 with the Cal. 1575, which brought with it the convenience of a hacking function.
While neither movement was outfitted with a Quickset mechanism, to give wearers the ability to change the date by using the crown, it was the 1500 calibers that introduced the cam and jewel system that created the instantaneous midnight change, still used by Rolex today.
From their first in-house series of calibers, the 1560 and 1575 were to become benchmarks in the world of mechanical watch movements, for their accuracy and resilience. Beautifully simple and extremely robust, they are highly regarded even today for their engineering excellence.
Inside this Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 1601 houses a mechanical automatic self-winding Rolex caliber 1575 movement. The 1575 was the start of the second generation of the 1500 series calibers. They released this movement in 1971 and it remained in use until 1981. With a 25 jewel self-winding automatic movement, it had a Rolex p/n 7980 balance assembly with Microstella screws, a Bregeut free sprung hairspring. It also had a frequency of 2.75 Hz/19,800 vph. Furthermore, the KIF Flector shock absorbers protected the 1575. Also, it used a traditional stone lever escapement and had a power reserve of 48 hours.
Moreover, they also used this movement in two more of today’s most highly coveted vintage watches. The watches themselves emerged in every conceivable permutation of bezel and dial detailing, with either yellow gold or two-tone Rolesor cases, or as the version we have here at WRISTICONS, in a handsome yellow gold.
At the traditional 36mm diameter, before Rolex introduced a 41mm model to the range, the Datejust 1601 is not a watch that shouts for attention. It has a quiet reserve that brings with it a versatility to match with a wider range of situations. It is the model to wear in both business meetings and by the pool, as well as on the journey between the two.
Our Datejust is a perfect example. This example is in excellent pre-owned condition and has a yellow golden 36mm size case with a chronometer rated automatic movement. This 18k Gold Rolex Datejust is just a beauty. It has a really rare mint white piepan dial.
This particular watch has just undergone a full service. This work was carried out by our Rolex authorised watchmaker using Rolex parts.
As with all of our pre-owned watches this watch comes with a full 12 month warranty with ourselves that will be invoked from the day of purchase.