Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 10, 2015

LOT 111

ROLEX REF 1601 DATEJUST BLACK DIAL & YELLOW GOLD Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified", case No. 581093, Ref. 1601/1800. Made in 1960. Fine, very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with date with an 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle.

CHF 8,000 - 12,000

HKD 65,000 - 97,000 / USD 8,300 - 12,500

Sold: CHF 10,000

Three-body, polished and brushed, curved lugs, fluted gold bezel, screwed-down case back and crown, crystal with cyclops lens. Black with applied baton indexes, outer minute/ seconds division, aperture for the date. Gold alpha hands. Cal. 1560, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions and temperature, shock absorber, self-compensating freesprung blued steel balance spring.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 36 mm. THICKNESS 12 mm. Due to the huge success of the steel and steel and gold versions of the Datejust launched around 1957 and 1962, and despite being offered initially only in gold; yellow gold, pink and white gold versions are much rarer and examples featuring an early black gilt dial even further so. This 1960 example is completed by the attractive early dauphine style hands making it the perfect evening dress watch.