Reply With QuoteHanging, I bet it doesn't dissapoint...
The biggest selling Rolex isn't, as many believe, the Submariner. In fact it isn't a sports watch at all - it's the venerable Datejust. First released in 1947, this is the watch that - for most people - symbolises the brand, and before this week I'd already owned five different models. All of them were lovely, and I've missed having one in my collection for some time now.
The 1601 is one of the most classic of all, with it's plexi crystal, non-quickset date and open sixes and nines on the date wheel. This one, from 1970, will have been one of the first to house a hacking movement (a calibre 1575, even though it will almost certainly have 1570 stamped on the bridge); it also has a "wide-boy" non-luminous dial, which I absolutely love. I've actually had it for a few days now, and have worn it almost constantly with both a suit and with jeans. it manages to bridge the gap between dressy and casual completely effortlessly, and whist it's relatively small by todays standards at 36mm, it wears really well on my 6.75" wrist.
Condition-wise, it's about as minty as a 45 year old watch could be, and is keeping time within a few seconds a day. I've posted a few WTB's for a jubilee bracelet but to be honest it looks so nice on leather that I don't think I'll bother. Its wearing a Hirsch Regent alligator strap in these photos, and although I've tried a few others this is by far my favourite.
Hanging, I bet it doesn't dissapoint...
Very nice, were those drilled lugs I spied?
Incan see why they are so popular, I love the one Magirus shows and used as a fireman. Classic looking and hard wearing, a great mix.
Superb pictures of a Superb Watch, you are never going to go wrong with a Vintage DJ..
Timeless! Marvellous strap selection too, congrats!
Very nice but a tad small for my manly 6.75 inch wrists.
Love vintage and classic lines
First dibs.
Love it
A beauty, I picked one up from SC a few months ago and it's one of my main wearers. Can't believe I had never owned one, it was the watch I'd always needed and never known it!
Went for the 16000 as it has plexiglass, open 6 and 9 but a quickset date with it.
It's on a perfectly decent Jubillee and I love it. Your photos certainly do tha DJ justice though and the strap looks bang on with the fluted bezel!
A very lovely example, Tony. I wish I had pulled the trigger on this myself!
It is a lovely watch, got a 1601 with a gold bezel for the girlfriend a couple months ago, she loves it, just too small for me, shame really
I think you're right about the strap - that looks just about perfect.
People go on, how the Submariner is so common, blah, blah and this is more so.
I’m a fan of the whole Rolex range, I genuinely am, but it says something when such a ‘common’ watch can look so good and attract few ‘haters’.
Perfect for you mate, perfect.
I would love a datejust next but I'm just not bonding with the current variation. The one you have there is beautiful in every way. The modern one is just a little too blingy for me with is overly polished parts. I just love its size though, 36mm is perfect for me, more so than a 40mm sub. I could quite easily grow old with a silver baton datejust.
Nice!
Agreed - a very classy combinationOriginally Posted by Coot
That is a classic: plexiglass, the pie-pan dial with the half-second markers and the open numbered datewheel. Can't go wrong.
My comment made without seeing the pics, still stands😄
Very nice, Tony. It's rare for me to read a post, take in the photographs and feel such a lurch of regret.
I wish I still had my 1603.
Stunning pics as usual mate!
Beautiful DJ Tony, and nice pics.
Looks to be in super condition for its age.
A timeless classic.
Whats not to love in a vintage DJ.
Beautiful and great strap choice too, congrats!
Thanks, all, for the very kind comments!
I must admit, John/11erv really reignited my interest, and I can certainly understand why he's amassed a little DJ collection. They're such lovely things, although I'm less predisposed towards the modern equivalents (still great watches, mind).
They do nothing for me either. The proportions of the 36mm model define what a 'watch' should be IMHO.
Very nice Tony and nice to see the photo skills haven't deserted you, very nice.
1570 calibre is as bullet proof as you're going to get.
That's stunning, I would definitly keep it on the leather strap, for me personally only sports watches belong on steel bracelets, a perfect vintage
Stu
Very nice t.
I still miss the coffee dial one.
Great pictures and a beautiful watch. Looks extremely classy on leather, and good to know that if you ever fancy a change (I believe it's been known), it will look great on a Jubilee too.
That was a cracker.
I love an old Datejust. That's bootiful.
You should take a picture of it on a nato.
Feel free to ignore that last bit. It's just part of my ongoing campaign to convince the forum dress watches look good on natos. I saw a Nomos Club on one on here the other day, so it must be working.
Datejusts on a nato look awesome IMO.
Very nice! A jubilee bracelet is spectacularly comfortable and goes extremely well with that one....if it was me I'd never take it off one of those...
I didn't realise that I was the inspiration behind this one, Tony. A fine, fine example, as I may have already said. Looks great on your choice of strap, but a jubilee adds a degree of versatility. I find a jubilee to be supremely comfortable, to boot.
Your threads and pictures on the DJ also made me take a leap of faith John!
Been fancying a DJ for a while. That beauty really isn't helping to dissuade me! Gorgeous.
I have a 16030. Underappreciated on the whole. People think it's just a brand name
What kind of witchcraft is this? That watch can't possibly look that good in real life....can it? If it does, then surely I would have known about it?
Feeling slightly nauseous now...
All marketing BS aside, Rolex really do make a nice watch. I think I'll go put mine on now :-)
Great photos, beautiful watch!
Lovely watch that!
Lovely watch, Tony.
That's pretty much my ideal dress watch, though a black gator strap would be my preference.
Beautiful watch and strap choice.
Very elegant I like it!!
Lovely watch and lovely photos. If I ever decide to go for a vintage watch again, one like this would be very near the top of the list.
Just lovely, thanks for the share
There is a timeless elegance there without a doubt and I am surprised how good it looks not on a bracelet, but that may just be as the 5 0 is up now......
Question is will it sustain the wrist time mate and what is the real draw to this often overlooked piece??
Beautiful and understated. Looks amazing for a 45 year old watch...
very beautiful and fantastic photos!
I agree as well that they do look rather good on a NATO IMO..
Posting Permissions
