We absolutely love this twist on the classic Rolex Datejust. The solid white gold, fluted bezel adds a new level of sophistication to an already suave watch. Another added rarity is the stunning graphite grey 'Sigma' Marked dial. The slight gap between the dial and the bezel is hidden by a sloping chapter ring, which has the outer minute track and lumed dots on it. Whilst it is a very subtle feature, it is one that we go crazy for!
This watch also has white gold markers, and lumed hands, cyclops glass over the date function, Rolex-signed screw back case and Rolex Oyster screw down crown. The watch comes on a stainless steel period Rolex Jubilee bracelet, with a signed, folding clasp and can be easily swapped to leather for a change up.
Sigma dials can be found on Rolex watches dating from the early 1970s until the latter part of the decade; however they can sometimes be found on Rolex watches from the late 1960s, as the “Sigma” symbol was being used by certain dial manufacturers before it became officially adopted in the early 1970s . Rolex Sigma dials have two σ marks surrounding the “T SWISS T” signature just under 6 o’clock marker on the dial (“T” refers to the use of tritium as luminescence on the dial). Therefore, Rolex Sigma dials denote that the hand-applied indexes and hands are craft from 18k gold.
Hans Wilsdorf founded Rolex in 1905 at the age of 24, along with Alfred Davis in London. In 1919 they moved their operation to Geneva, Switzerland. This move was brought about by high wartime taxes on Gold and Silver in the UK after the Great war 1914-1918. They were now closer to their suppliers in Bienne. The Rolex Oyster case was released in 1926. Marketed as the world's first “waterproof” watch. The notches on the bezel and case back meant they could be screwed down to the middle case with a special tool invented and manufactured by Rolex to hermetically seal the case. In 1927 a young swimmer Miss Mercedes Gleitz swam the English channel wearing the “Oyster”. Later in 1933 the team of the first expedition to fly over Everest wore them. It was also famously worn by Sir Malcolm Campbell, “King Of Speed”, on the 4th September 1935. An advert of the time made a big splash with him saying “The Rolex watch is still keeping perfect time- I was wearing it yesterday when Bluebird exceeded 300 mph.” He broke the world land speed record 9 times between 1924 and 1936. 1931 saw the debut of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, their first self-winding watch that was also water-resistant and dustproof.
Rolex first introduced the Datejust in 1945 to commemorate the company’s 40th anniversary. The Rolex Datejust first made its appearance as the reference 4467, and upon its initial release, it was only available in solid 18ct yellow gold. It wasn’t until the 1950s, with the introduction of the reference 5030 and 5031, that stainless steel and Rolesor (two-tone) versions became available, and the “Datejust” name started to appear on the dial.
During the 1970s, a group of Swiss watchmakers, known as The Association for the Industrial Promotion of Gold (APIOR), formed an initiative to highlight the use of gold on watches, which was especially important on stainless steel watches as they are similar in colour to white gold. The Greek letter Sigma, σ, was chosen and the first recorded use of it was on the 25th February 1970. The Sigma mark was used on dials, bracelets and casebacks to signify the presence of gold and was used by brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, IWC and Vacheron Constantin, but only for a handful of years in the 1970s so they are a rare find!
Fully serviced by us in our on-site workshop and comes with our 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
This is a very attractive and highly sought after model of the Rolex Datejust and, in our opinion, much nicer than the newer version, which will cost you just over £10,000, if you can find one... This watch is also perfect for males and females alike and everybody needs a Datejust in their collection!
Spec Stuff
Reference : 1601
Movement : Automatic Rolex Cal. 1570 Age : 1970/1979 Specific Age : 1972 Case Size :36mm Case Thickness : 12mm Lug to Lug : Lugs :20mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Box Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1972 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust with White Gold Fluted Bezel and Sloped 'Sigma' Dial in Stainless Steel Model 1601
