An automatic stainless steel and eighteen carat yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 1601 model. This is an example of an early Datejust with unusual hour markers and matching hand set. It is also somewhat of a time capsule having come from the family of the original owner from where it had stayed since its purchase in 1970.

The dial featured on this example has both wider hands and wider hour markers than the classic dials seen on these watches. These have become known as the "wide boy" dials. They were found on both Datejust and Day Date models.The striking silver pie-pan dial with black printing is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage and has all of the lume plots still in tact. They match well with the hands to a rich milky coffee colour, and react equally under UV light. By this time Rolex had moved away from Radium luminous material to the less radioactive Tritium. This can be seen by the "T Swiss T" marking at the base of the dial.

This example has the less common colored silver dial with yellow gold markers. The colour has a little more depth to it than a lot of silver dials. Perhaps that is due to the now nearly sixty year aging process. It is somewhat an antique silver in normal light. The black text printing and chapter ring stand out well from the silver, and has a very classic feel. These silver dials suit this watch a lot more than the gold dials that are more commonly found. The balance between the larger gold bezel and silver dial has a much more appealing overall feel.

All original lume plots are in tact as well as in the hands, and are not re-finished and have aged to a stunning deep latté colour. They respond the same to ultraviolet light, meaning they are original to each other. The same is true of the original baton hands.

The watch is powered by a Rolex, Swiss made, twenty six jewel automatic calibre 1570 movement that powered the majority of all Rolex models since its launch, from the Datejust to the Submariner. The caliber was introduced by Rolex in 1964, and was such a stalwart that it remained unchanged for thirteen years. Various different movements were developed from this caliber such as the 1575 for the GMT and the 1580 anti-magnetic for the Milgauss. These movements were also certified chronometer (COSC) movements.

The watch is fitted to its original and much less common Rolex Oyster stainless steel and eighteen carat bracelet with the very attractive large coronet deployant bracelet which is remarkable condition having never been polished. These deployant buckles are perhaps the most attractive ones made by Rolex. There is also a date stamping on the reverse side of the bracelet. It reads "2 69". Knowing that this bracelet was made in the second quarter of 1969. A fabulous additional element to this superb watch. This is also an example of the early "folded" link Oyster bracelets. These are the most complex and beautiful bracelets made by Rolex, I would argue. They are not like the open folded link examples. This design has an additional step of construction, The sided of the link are also capped and pinned with solid pieces of eighteen carat yellow gold. It is also not a "stretch" bracelet, which can be uncomfortable to wear.

The watch was made circa 1969 with serial number 187XXXX. The watch is in original condition, unpolished, and very strong. The bracelet and bezel appear to be unpolished. The bracelet has some sag, but not detrimental. The watch is a 'full set' example, which is very rare for any Rolex from this period. Not only that. The watch was purchased at Bucherer in Switzerland. It comes with the early Rolex purchase papers booklet form. They date up to 1969, and are fully correctly filled in and along with the Bucherer retail stamp. It also comes with the original bull of sale from Bucherer, a Bucherer business card and original Bucherer box that the watch came in. In itself interesting that they did not sell their Rolex watches in Rolex boxes back in the 1960's. Accompanying the watch is a fascinating piece of paper that we have never found before; the Swiss Tax declaration forms for export out of the country, all matching and filled out for this particular watch!

A very good example in its own right, to find a complete version like this is a real treat.Given the fact that Rolex have now acquired Bucherer this makes this watch even more of a collectors item! Watches like this come by very infrequently, and as the years pass, are increasingly rare and desirable.