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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Datejust wristwatch

Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601

Partially verified

This Rolex Datejust, reference 1601, is a stainless steel wristwatch dating to approximately 1978. The timepiece is fitted with a silver-colored dial with a satin finish, which the source notes was observed on the final production run of the four-digit Datejust series. The dial displays applied hour markers and is accompanied by a matching handset with Tritium luminous material. The watch is presented on a stainless steel Jubilee-style bracelet. The case and bracelet have undergone previous polishing. The timepiece functions as an Oyster Perpetual model, incorporating the standard Rolex Oyster case design.

Front view of the Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 showing the silver dial and Jubilee bracelet.
Front view of the Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 showing the silver dial and Jubilee bracelet. — Oliver & Clarke Vintage Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
oliverandclarke.com
Category
Wristwatch · Datejust wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
1601
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1978
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The watch features a stainless steel Oyster case equipped with a fluted bezel constructed from white gold. This specific bezel design is a feature identifying the model as a reference 1601 within the Rolex four-digit Datejust series. The case, along with the included Jubilee-style bracelet, has been subject to previous polishing, which the vendor describes as having been performed gently.

The dial is silver-colored and features a specific satin finishing. The source indicates that this finish is a detail exclusive to the final production batch of the four-digit reference Datejust line. The dial layout includes intact Tritium luminous plots positioned at the base of the hour markers, paired with a handset that matches the dial in age and condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “fluted white gold bezel”
  • “silver dial within features a very uncommon satin finishing found only, from what we have observed, on the last batch of 4-digit Datejusts”
  • “fully-intact Tritium plots with a matching handset”

Model Classification and Dating

This object is identified as a late-production example of the Rolex reference 1601. The Datejust model line was introduced by Rolex in 1945. The reference 1601 is distinguished from the reference 1603 by the usage of a white gold fluted bezel as opposed to an engine-turned steel bezel.

The piece is dated to approximately 1978 based on the vendor's assessment of its late-series production status. These four-digit reference models are described by the vendor as having pie-pan dials, which possess a three-dimensional quality in their construction.

Evidence for this section
  • “This particular piece is a very late Reference 1601 dating to circa 1978”
  • “The ‘4 digit’ series of Datejust are particularly attractive for their pie-pan dials”
  • “available as the 1601, with a fluted white gold bezel”

Condition Report

The vendor reports the watch to be in excellent overall condition. The case and Jubilee bracelet are noted as having been polished, though the vendor states that the fluted bezel retains its definition and original detail, appearing to have avoided significant polishing.

The dial is described as remaining in outstanding condition with a clean surface. The luminous Tritium plots are confirmed to be fully intact, maintaining their consistency with the handset.

Evidence for this section
  • “comes to us in excellent overall condition”
  • “very gently and tastefully previously polished case and Jubilee bracelet”
  • “The characteristic white gold 'fluted' bezel has seemingly been spared of previous polishing and retains excellent definition”

Open research questions

  • Can the production date of circa 1978 be verified against a specific serial number sequence?
  • What are the specific documented production years for the 'satin' dial finish variant of the 1601?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Bezel materialWhite gold“fluted white gold bezel”
Estimated datecirca 1978“dating to circa 1978”
Dial finishSatin silver“Satin Silver Dial”
Luminous materialTritium“fully-intact Tritium plots”
Bracelet styleJubilee“Jubilee bracelet”

Visible details

  • Satin finish on the silver-colored dial
  • Fluted white gold bezel
  • Applied indices with luminous material at their base
  • Jubilee-style metal link bracelet

Research qualifications

  • The source notes that the satin finishing is observed only on the last batch based on their own observations
  • The extent and history of the case and bracelet polishing are described as 'gently' and 'tastefully' performed without independent verification

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی Rolex Datejust رفرنس 1601 با صفحه نقره‌ای اطلسی

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record bebfa59e23

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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