Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 - Blue Dial

£3,950.00

  • Year: 1973.

  • Movement: Rolex automatic 1575 movement.

  • Case Size: 36mm.

  • Dial and bezel: Blue Pie-Pan dial with applied indices. White gold fluted bezel.

  • Crystal: Acrylic crystal.

  • Strap: Blue leather strap from Quaint and Collectible.

  • This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality, and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we don’t believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.

    If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description. All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

  • Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard.

  • Year: 1973.

  • Movement: Rolex automatic 1575 movement.

  • Case Size: 36mm.

  • Dial and bezel: Blue Pie-Pan dial with applied indices. White gold fluted bezel.

  • Crystal: Acrylic crystal.

  • Strap: Blue leather strap from Quaint and Collectible.

  • This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality, and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we don’t believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.

    If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description. All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

  • Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard.

The Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 is a cornerstone of vintage watch collecting, and this 1973 example delivers everything enthusiasts look for—originality, sharp condition, and timeless style. The vibrant blue pie-pan dial with applied indices offers a rich contrast against the crisp white gold fluted bezel, giving the watch a refined yet distinctive presence on the wrist.

Powered by Rolex’s robust automatic 1575 movement, this Datejust offers both vintage charm and mechanical reliability. We’ve paired it with a high-quality blue leather strap from Quaint and Collectible to complement the dial tone perfectly.

Whether you’re adding to a collection or buying your first vintage Rolex, the 1601 remains one of the most versatile and enduring designs in the brand’s history.

Key Features

  • Year: 1973

  • Reference: 1601

  • Movement: Rolex automatic Calibre 1575

  • Case Size: 36mm stainless steel

  • Dial: Blue pie-pan dial with applied indices

  • Bezel: 18k white gold fluted bezel

  • Crystal: Acrylic crystal

  • Strap: Blue leather strap from Quaint and Collectible

  • Watch only

  • Fully serviced and sold with 12-month Watts On Watches warranty

A Word on Condition
This watch is in fantastic condition for its age, with an unpolished case retaining sharp, original lines. Minor signs of honest wear are present, as expected from a well-cared-for 50-year-old watch, but the bezel remains crisp and the blue dial is vibrant and evenly coloured with excellent legibility. The 1575 movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and is running exactly as it should, ready for many more decades of use.

Why Buy This Watch
Vintage Datejusts have enjoyed strong and steady collector demand for decades, and blue dial 1601s are among the most desirable variations. The unpolished case, crisp fluted bezel, and well-preserved dial make this example particularly appealing.

The pie-pan dial itself is a hallmark of early Datejust design, featuring a subtly sloped outer ring that adds depth, texture, and shadow play to the watch face. This design detail not only enhances legibility but also gives the watch a distinct vintage charm that later flat dials simply cannot match. Collectors prize the pie-pan for its historical significance, as it represents an era of Rolex craftsmanship and attention to detail that is no longer seen in modern production.

This is a watch that can transition effortlessly from casual to formal wear while maintaining its value over time. Backed by our 12-month Watts On Watches warranty, fully serviced, and presented with our bespoke packaging and purchase documentation, it’s an opportunity to secure a highly wearable and investment-worthy vintage Rolex.