My new 1601 Datejust

[Brucie D]

So after many test drives and much research, I took the plunge and bought my first vintage watch.

Based on my findings, this watch dates to right around 1970 and I’m the fourth owner. All owners are known. Some points:

- two tone gold and stainless steel
- I love the dial
- movement is in excellent condition
- jubilee bracelet is the US version (USA bracelet)

Some questions for discussion:

- where can I find a period correct Rolex box for it?
- what would happen if I sent this watch to Rolex for service?
- is any polishing recommended or acceptable? Would I be crazy to do a light polish?











Instagram: @brucie_d001


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[Brucie D]

Movement:






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[schoolboy]

Congrats on a nice looking classic

As far as the box, I would give the classifieds here a shot. You can even post a WTB thread and see if somebody replies.

About service, I wouldn't know, and I am also curious for the answer to your question.

Polishing is totally up to you. Some people from upon it, and some people love to make their watches look like new!

[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Congrats on a nice looking classic

As far as the box, I would give the classifieds here a shot. You can even post a WTB thread and see if somebody replies.

About service, I wouldn't know, and I am also curious for the answer to your question.

Polishing is totally up to you. Some people from upon it, and some people love to make their watches look like new!

Thanks for the input. Cheers.


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[dbhak22]

Good notes by schoolboy. Ebay is a good source for boxes...lots on there. Tread lightly for things of high value on eBay but with boxes, I think it's a good place to search.

Welcome to vintage and nice looking classic Datejust. Love pie-pan dials. Subtle difference with the ones that came afterward but enough to give much more charm/character.

[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by dbhak22

Good notes by schoolboy. Ebay is a good source for boxes...lots on there. Tread lightly for things of high value on eBay but with boxes, I think it's a good place to search.

Welcome to vintage and nice looking classic Datejust. Love pie-pan dials. Subtle difference with the ones that came afterward but enough to give much more charm/character.

Thanks for the advice. The dial is one of my favourite things about the watch. Cheers.


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[Richard Carver]

Congrats, very nice watch. What you want is a light polish, it simply brightens the surface but doesn't remove actual metal like a full polish does. Let's say you have a 1mm scratch in the side of the watch, the only way to get rid of it is to remove the metal around it. You can't just polish that one spot, then you have a very shiny dent in the watch. No, the metal has to be taken down by 1mm to remove the scratch and make it look even again.

That's how a watch get's 'over polished', removing scratches over a 50 year period. :) Before you put it under the wheel try the various owner solutions, keep it clean, soap and water does a great job (make sure it passes a depth test). A soft toothbrush and white toothpaste (use with water) will give it the light polish you may be looking for. A polishing cloth like a Cape Cod does a good job as well.

Enjoy that beauty and welcome to vintage!

[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Congrats, very nice watch. What you want is a light polish, it simply brightens the surface but doesn't remove actual metal like a full polish does. Let's say you have a 1mm scratch in the side of the watch, the only way to get rid of it is to remove the metal around it. You can't just polish that one spot, then you have a very shiny dent in the watch. No, the metal has to be taken down by 1mm to remove the scratch and make it look even again.



That's how a watch get's 'over polished', removing scratches over a 50 year period. :) Before you put it under the wheel try the various owner solutions, keep it clean, soap and water does a great job (make sure it passes a depth test). A soft toothbrush and white toothpaste (use with water) will give it the light polish you may be looking for. A polishing cloth like a Cape Cod does a good job as well.



Enjoy that beauty and welcome to vintage!

Fantastic advice. Thanks so much. I will try some of the techniques you mentioned. Cheers.


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[swish77]

A true classic. Congrats!

That case looks nice and fat. I certainly would not polish it, except maybe a light Cape Cod treatment on the sides only (not the brushed lugs) to brighten it a little, as mentioned above.

Another thing you could do if you want to jazz up the overall appearance, because this is more of a dress-watch look anyway ... You could polish up the bezel and bracelet. That certainly would make it more blingy, especially with that yellow gold. I personally wouldn't do that, but I don't think you'd do any harm if it's done right.

As for a movement service, you could have an RSC handle it, but they'll try to get you to change the dial and hands. You could decline, but then they might refuse to service the watch. I would just send it to one of the trusted watchmakers often mentioned on TRF, such as Bob Ridley, LAWW and ABC, or Riki, etc ... Those guys would all preserve the vintage integrity of your DJ.

[skkali168]

Very nice! Congrats


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[C Walker]

Very Nice indeed!

[Adambrown]

Nice Classic piece . Can’t go wrong with a pie pan Datejust


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[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by swish77

A true classic. Congrats!

That case looks nice and fat. I certainly would not polish it, except maybe a light Cape Cod treatment on the sides only (not the brushed lugs) to brighten it a little, as mentioned above.

Another thing you could do if you want to jazz up the overall appearance, because this is more of a dress-watch look anyway ... You could polish up the bezel and bracelet. That certainly would make it more blingy, especially with that yellow gold. I personally wouldn't do that, but I don't think you'd do any harm if it's done right.

As for a movement service, you could have an RSC handle it, but they'll try to get you to change the dial and hands. You could decline, but then they might refuse to service the watch. I would just send it to one of the trusted watchmakers often mentioned on TRF, such as Bob Ridley, LAWW and ABC, or Riki, etc ... Those guys would all preserve the vintage integrity of your DJ.

Great ideas. Thanks so much.


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[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by Adambrown

Nice Classic piece . Can’t go wrong with a pie pan Datejust


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Really enjoying that dial for sure.


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[sensui]

Sharp looking DJ. Thanks for sharing these shots...love the dial and sharpness of the lugs.

[crowncollection]

Nice piece


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[Phrank]

Great looking watch, Rolex has such a timeless classic look - congratulations.

[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by Phrank

Great looking watch, Rolex has such a timeless classic look - congratulations.

Thanks! I agree.


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[iliketime]

beautiful, been after a 1601 in steel and white dial myself

[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by iliketime

beautiful, been after a 1601 in steel and white dial myself

I’ve got a new Datejust in steel with a white dial. Good combo.




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[RolexPete]

Classic two-tone. Nice!

[Brucie D]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Classic two-tone. Nice!

Thanks Pete. It is the same configuration I would choose if I was buying a brand new one. Very good look. Cheers.


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[Enicarman]

Originally Posted by Brucie D

Thanks Pete. It is the same configuration I would choose if I was buying a brand new one. Very good look. Cheers.


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That is a very smart and tasteful model. For me, much preferred to "bling".