The Rolex Datejust 1601 is a staple of this prestigious brand. The fluted white gold bezel, 36mm case, Jubilee bracelet and Cyclops crystal all fit the bill when one envisions a typical Rolex. The ubiquity alone might have deterred me from looking at these models, but one reached out and tugged at my heartstrings.
It’s been close to 18 months now since my love affair with the Datejust vintage watch began. The funny thing is, I used to completely ignore these watches, but I eventually caved in. However, my journey went a bit off track with a focus on some rather unique models. First, I chose a 16030 with a metallic black dial.
Well, the Rolex Datejust 1601 was there, and Eric took it out, but it contained an unfortunate caveat. The watch had been put on hold the night before. That’s right; after sitting quietly on Eric’s website for a few weeks, someone expressed interest before I visited. But how did the watch look? In a word, sublime.
I feel like I’ve been scouring the Internet relatively regularly for the past two years for vintage Datejust models. They are such common watches that 99% of them can be swept under the rug before finding something interesting. Then again, those interesting replica watches usually have some drawbacks.
The Rolex Datejust 1601 (or any Datejust, for that matter) without a luminous dial is not a watch I care about. I like luminescence, even if it’s long gone on older watches. Often, watches without lume can feel too formal and stodgy. However, there is a nice benefit to not having luminescence.
For the same reason that dials without luminescence don’t usually appeal to me, the same is true of white gold fluted bezels. I know the Rolex Datejust 1601 represents the collection, but the fluted bezel also often seems unstable and frankly too “country club” for my tastes. However, in this example, with the dial, polished hands and indexes, the bezel works so well again.
Thankfully, when I opened it, the magic I felt in the short time I had with this watch came back. I sized the bracelet through the clasp and tried it on…, and it’s gorgeous! The comfort of this watch is simply unbeatable. It simply cannot be beaten for comfort. Another noteworthy detail is the lovely case, which is in excellent condition.
A watch like the Rolex Datejust 1601 has a lot going for it due to the condition of its case, bezel and strap. Then, add to that the unusual and incredibly clean dial, and it is a desirable package. The result is a watch that, at the time of this writing, has not left my wrist since the first day of ownership.