
Reference 1601 Datejust | A stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and bracelet, Circa 1966
No reserve
Lot Closed
December 10, 10:28 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 USD
We may charge or debit your saved payment method subject to the terms set out in our Conditions of Business for Buyers.
Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: gray
Caliber: cal.1570 automatic, 26 jewels
Movement number: D18'821
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 1'267'924
Closure: stainless steel and gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 36mm
Signed: case, dial, and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Viewed by many as one of the most influential wristwatch designs ever created, the Rolex reference 1601 set the template for the modern date watch. Its defining elements—the cyclops magnifier, fluted bezel, and Jubilee bracelet—have been echoed throughout the industry for decades, underscoring the strength of the original concept.
Introduced in 1959, the model debuted with the new caliber 1565. The present example, dating to circa 1966, is fitted with the upgraded caliber 1575, distinguished by its higher 19,800 vph beat rate and improved reliability. Remarkably, the core aesthetic of the 1601 has endured for more than half a century, a testament to its balanced proportions and timeless appeal. It remains an effortlessly wearable watch, suited to virtually any occasion.