Is this dial original to this model?

[Bmw1]

Hello fellow members, this a 1601 that has a steel bezel and a gold hour markers.
Did Rolex ever sell 1601 steel with this dial configuration?
I also heard somewhere that back in the day Rolex offered to swap 1601 from gold and steel to steel and the other way around. Is this true?
It’s a 340xxxx so roughly 1973-1974 and has an A serial clasp code.

Thank you all



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[offrdmania]

Those hour markers and hands look silver to me. The gold color looks like a reflection, look at the bottom of the dial in the second pic.

But to answer your question, with older pieces it isnt uncommon to see parts swapped to meet someone taste. As for an AD doing it, it could be possible but I doubt it.

[Bmw1]

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[Bmw1]

Maybe this will show the color better


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[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Those hour markers and hands look silver to me. The gold color looks like a reflection, look at the bottom of the dial in the second pic.

But to answer your question, with older pieces it isnt uncommon to see parts swapped to meet someone taste. As for an AD doing it, it could be possible but I doubt it.

I second that! It’s probably a “build”...it has all SS gear but YG hands and dial markers, plus the engine turned bezel instead of fluted...

[L.K Johnson]

Pretty cool set-up IMO...here is my build with all SS gear and YG dial:

[offrdmania]

Gold hour markers and gold hands usually came on either a solid gold piece or a two-tone. To see the gold on an all stainless piece usually means that it was a swap at some point in its life

[swish77]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Gold hour markers and gold hands usually came on either a solid gold piece or a two-tone. To see the gold on an all stainless piece usually means that it was a swap at some point in its life

x2. That dial would not have been in an SS model when it originally came from the factory.

[zapokee]

Concur. It's also rare to see these blue dials without deterioration around the hour markers, suggesting it might be newer.

[s1im]

there are some 1601's made for the saudi market that had gold markers and gold hands on an oyster steel bracelet with a 18ct wg fluted bezel.
I have one that has original dial (sigma) and full matching paperwork, I thought it was a dial change until i didi a lot of research into it!

[s1im]

My sigma dial, 1976 ish, original dial and hands, mfg for saudi market, and purchased there.

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by s1im

My sigma dial, 1976 ish, original dial and hands, mfg for saudi market, and purchased there.

Looks really classy!

[330ci]

kind of an off note, but alot of precision models came with gold hour markers on stainless models as well from the factory.