Vintage datejust

[thejl]

I'm hoping to add a vintage datejust to my Sub 114060.

For those that own one, do you have any regrets vs getting
a modern iteration ie. plexiglass vs sapphire crystal, engine turned
bezel vs white bezel, 36mm vs 41mm, accuracy in the differing movements?

If no regrets, what reference number do you have and why did you choose it?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[rokonman]

Quickset date. I have a 16013. Thirty plus years of classic plexi style without the 60 trips around the dial evert time it comes out of the safe.

[Dan S]

I have owned both 4- and 5-digit DJs, and for me, the 4-digits are by far the most attractive, because of the pie-pan (step) dial. Next to them, the flat dials look really cheap and crude. However, the 5-digit DJs have obvious technological advantages with the quick-set date and upgraded movement. So it just depends on your priorities.

[1665fan]

I had one two tone 4 digit back in the day....linen dial and accrylic crystal....it was awesome...for the price just as good as anything they make now...and I don’t think they make the gold linen dial anymore.

[thejl]

Thanks for your insights!

[mineral]

The older DJ 1601 and 1603 are much better and attractive in my opinion. The vintage features like the plexi, pie pan dial, dauphine hand, engine turned bezel are nice.


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[L.K Johnson]

I am also all for 4 digit DJ, the fluted white gold bezel of the 1601 is my favorite!

[rootbeer7]

I prefer the older and have had 2 1601’s; steel and tt. The reason they didn’t stay was the size compared to modern 40mm plus watches. As I like to wear my watches and can’t afford a large collection just to look at, I moved them on. But, if I were building a larger collection I’d now look for a 1600 with smooth bezel.

[motoikkyu]

I love the 160x series, I have more than one Wide-Boy and would definitely recommend you give them a look. If you are willing to tolerate a slow-set (non-QS), be sure to also look at 6605s. They wear very well, very comfortable and a nice profile.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

I love the 160x series, I have more than one Wide-Boy and would definitely recommend you give them a look. If you are willing to tolerate a slow-set (non-QS), be sure to also look at 6605s. They wear very well, very comfortable and a nice profile.

Love the wide boys:




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[kwcsports]

Love my 1601, after service, it is keeping time well within Cosc specs, Dial looks great, plexi looks cool as well. Love the old DJ's

[AJMarcus]

It would be a nice compliment to your modern Sub. I have a 114060 and BLRO, and my recently acquired 1603 from 1968 is a nice change. The four digit DJs are like a nice pair of jeans. They’re classic and go with anything. Here’s mine on a Hodinkee strap. I have the jubilee but find vintage DJs look great on straps too.

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Love the wide boys:




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Beautiful dial. Looks great on the strap

[BisonHead]

Love my TT DJ, (1974) it is a bit of a pain to set the date if its not worn for a while.

I have toyed with changing the dial out to a blue one. The blue dials look really nice.

DJ on Box.jpg

[rmagoo57]

Here's my Sub along side my 16013 that I've worn since the late 1980's. I also have a DJ41 which is similar in size to the Sub. I don't wear the vintage DJ much anymore. Thinking of retiring it until I'm old and frail. It's very light and comfortable to wear!

[carwashchris]

Like others I don't like resetting the date on the 4 digit refs. But in my opinion the pie pan dial is in another league, they will more than likely never produce a dial like these again. Here's my 3

[Vlad]

I guess I'm in a minority, but I would go for a 5 digit DJ. Excellent movement, yet with plastic crystal. the best of both worlds. As far as dials, 3035 dials are readily available in any configuration. My favorite being 16030 with a blue dial with while Buckley roman numerals and white hands

[Nick9]

I have a few four-digits. I like them all. If I had to pick just one, I'd have a very hard time choosing among engine-turned vs fluted, doorstop vs sticks, etc etc.

One thing for sure is that the stepped dial, for me, much better looking than the flat one.

Quickset is a "nice to have", but wouldn't be a big deal for me.

[Mbalce]

My 16013, my first Rolex and my daily watch for almost 20 years. Very comfortable and versatile imho


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[AJMarcus]

Quick set doesn’t phase me at all. It’s part of the charm of a truly vintage timepiece.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

...if I were building a larger collection I’d now look for a 1600 with smooth bezel.

This.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by zapokee

This.

Now that’s a handsome piece.

[SamH]

They're all good. I have a 1601 with a black dial and a 126234 with a silver dial. The 1600 series is, to me at least, one of the nicest watches there is. No quickset, but it does have the slight pie-pan, it's just a great and classic shape and fluted or steel variant are both very nice.

The latest incarnation of the 36 is very similar in many respects. Equally, the steel bezel versions (including the 1603 in the 1600 series, don't think there's an equivalent now) are fantastic, and I'd be more than happy had I gone with that option.

It's an enduring design. For example the current 36 with a blue or black dial and a stainless bezel looks understated and smart. They look good on a jubilee or an oyster bracelet. The fluted likewise.

Personally, I like the uncluttered look of the dials I have, but that's just my preference. There's plenty of choice.

I chose 36mm and fluted for the new one, luck of the draw as to what was around and available when I bought the 1601 it was black dialled, so I got silver on the newer model. Possibly I'd have done it the other way around if a silver 1601 turned up first.

Sapphire crystal I like, both are equally good. I wouldn't put sapphire on an older Datejust, but it seems to suit the newer watch just fine.

Push comes to shove, I think I prefer the 1601, but the modern watch is slightly more practical in that I don't need to worry about a service eliminating the period date wheel etc.

Whichever Datejust I had ended up with, the chances are I would enjoy it immensely.

[suso-77]

I've never thought to wear a gold watch, not even a bracelet, until my mother gave me my father's watch, a two tone DJ 1601 champagne dial.
I started wearing it and I already started appreciating the real charm of a vintage watch, the size of the watch looks perfect on my wrist, the jubilee bracelet feels really comfortable, by the way, setting the date doesn't bother me at all.

[t06y]

Love DJ 1600/1/3. Regardless of the colour on their dial, they are all have their own personality!

[t06y]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Now that’s a handsome piece.