Rolex Datejust Watch, Reference 1601, Steel and Gold, Fluted Bezel, Champagne Dial, Automatic
Rolex Datejust Watch, Reference 1601, Steel and Gold, Fluted Bezel, Champagne Dial, Automatic
- 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 Check the Shipping Flowchart here
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $771, 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.
With EMS, any charge is collected by your postal service on delivery. For pieces of significant value we can often arrange duties prepaid before dispatch.
How the estimate is reached · Ask for a figure on this piece
- Character
- Scoring underway ·
- Replies
- Within one Tokyo business day · Ask the curator team
- Guarantee
- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
Every piece is measured by hand, in centimetres as Japan measures. Please allow 1–2 cm (about ½ inch) for the give of the material and the hand that held the tape.
Where each figure is taken · View the plate
Watch
Couldn't load pickup availability
All sales are final. Please read our refund policy before purchase.
Considered offers only. The Desk replies personally to figures made in good faith; those set far below the asking price receive no reply.
Examined in Tokyo, one price, insured to your door. How buying from Japonista works · Join the Circle, free
A vintage Rolex Datejust, reference 1601, in steel with a fluted bezel as yellow gold, a champagne dial with black baton markers and a date window, on a black leather strap.
The Piece
The Oyster case arrived in 1926; Rolex's Perpetual rotor followed in 1931 and the Datejust in 1945. These are family-history milestones, not this watch's date or a fresh water-resistance rating. The reference and dial signature need to be checked against the case and movement before claims of matching original components can be made.
Reference 1601 is the Datejust with a fluted bezel, here in yellow gold on a steel Oyster case. The champagne dial is signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust, with black baton markers, gold hands, a date window at three and the lines Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified.
The watch was as running and its numeric 4 appearance category allows some wear. The strap is a black crocodile-patterned leather strap and it is not original.
Details
- Maker: Rolex
- Model: Oyster Perpetual Datejust, reference 1601
- Material: description: Steel case with a fluted bezel as yellow gold; champagne dial with black baton markers; black crocodile-patterned leather strap with a gold-coloured buckle, not original. Metal fineness and component originality not newly tested.
- Movement: Automatic, with date
- Colour: Steel and yellow gold; champagne dial; black strap
Condition
Original Japanese rank 4: Original numeric 4 denotes a sound-looking used piece with some wear/dirt, not a new inspection. Running was historically reported only; aftermarket strap fit is unmeasured. See Japanese condition ranks.
The fluted bezel and date window are visible, but the four A numeral in a window is not a calendar-change test. Strap length and case diameter have not been newly measured.
Authenticity & Care
Keep dry pending a qualified watchmaker's inspection of the movement, crown, seals and fastening. Do not force a damaged crown or polish aged dial surfaces. Identity, component originality, metal fineness and service history remain individual checks.
Delivery from Japan
Confirm protective packing and destination requirements before dispatch. Precious-metal and animal-material carriage requires a permitted route; these pieces travel by a permitted route.
For a closer comparison of cases, dials and bracelets, visit Collectible watches and the Rolex archive. Ask for any item-specific detail you would like clarified before proceeding.
Chosen for you