Rolex Datejust 1601/3, Replacement Clasp and Service Papers

$12,465.00 USD

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Dispatch: Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
Arrival: United States · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked
Import: Duties and customs · View the estimate

A guide for this piece: about $1,246, based on the 10% US charge on the declared value of goods made in Japan.

The final figure is set by US Customs and depends on where the piece was made and the kind of object it is. Many antiques over a century old carry no ordinary duty; most jewellery and leather goods add a single-digit rate.

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A fluted yellow-gold bezel frames the silver-coloured dial of this Rolex Datejust 1601/3.

The Piece

Its bracelet carries an important qualification: 14K gold in the bracelet although the later replacement clasp is marked 18K. That clasp code C12 is attributed to 1990, separate from the watch’s 1971 attribution and 32-series serial description. The record records Rolex Japan overhaul, polishing, hand replacement and clasp replacement, with the removed original hands included. Rolex introduced the Datejust in 1945 as a self-winding wrist chronometer with a date window, not the first wristwatch of any kind to show one.

Details

Maker/reference: Rolex Datejust 1601/3
Movement: Automatic calibre 1570
Case: 36×11.7 mm (1.42×0.46 in)
Fit: Maximum 20.5 cm (8.07 in)
Dial/crystal: Silver-coloured dial; acrylic crystal
Bracelet: Steel/yellow gold; 14K bracelet gold
Clasp: Replacement C12 clasp, to 1990, marked 18K
Service: Rolex Japan overhaul, hand/clasp replacement and polish
Included: International service guarantee and removed original hands

Condition

Q is a vintage-category designation, not the AB grade previously used. The luminous material shows corrosion and the case retains scratches that finishing did not remove. Replaced hands and clasp are part of the recorded configuration rather than an all-original claim. The service guarantee must be matched to the actual reference and serial; no continuing cover or present rate is established. See Japanese condition ranks.

Authenticity & Care

Keep dry pending a qualified watchmaker’s assessment of the case, seals and mechanism. Do not open the back or polish the case at home. Ask for current winding, time-setting and fastening checks before regular wear; servicing is not a fresh performance test. Store the watch separately with its strap or bracelet supported, so the case edges and clasp cannot strike another object. Match reference and serial records to the actual watch rather than relying on a box or an old service statement. No present water-resistance or continuing maker cover is established.