Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 - Grey Ghosted Dial - 1970

The Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 is one of the great vintage Rolex references. Classic proportions, a 36mm Oyster case, white gold fluted bezel, automatic chronometer movement and the unmistakable date window at 3 o’clock.

This 1970 example has a particularly attractive grey dial, which is the main talking point of the watch. In certain lights, the dial text appears ghosted, giving the watch a subtle and unusual character that you simply do not get from a standard silver or champagne dial Datejust.

The grey tone works beautifully with the steel case and white gold fluted bezel. It gives the watch a more restrained, slightly moodier appearance while still retaining all the classic Datejust elegance. The applied baton hour markers, warm tritium lume plots and acrylic crystal all help give the watch its correct vintage feel.

Inside is the Rolex calibre 1575 automatic movement, one of Rolex’s respected workhorse movements of the period. Reliable, robust and properly suited to daily wear, it is a major part of why these vintage Datejust models remain so popular.

Fitted to a Rolex Jubilee bracelet, this is a very wearable vintage Rolex Datejust with a more unusual dial configuration and a lovely amount of vintage personality.

Key Features

• Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601

• Year 1970

• Rolex calibre 1575 automatic movement

• 36mm stainless steel Oyster case

• White gold fluted bezel

• Grey dial with ghosted text in certain lights

• Applied baton hour markers

• Tritium lume plots

• Date function with cyclops

• Acrylic crystal

• Rolex Jubilee bracelet

• Sold as watch only

A Word on Condition

This Rolex Datejust presents very well overall, with a strong and attractive vintage appearance. The 36mm steel case shows honest signs of age and careful use, as expected for a watch from 1970, while still retaining the classic Datejust proportions.

The grey dial is the highlight. It has a beautiful sunburst tone and the text takes on a ghosted appearance in certain lights, giving the watch a subtle and distinctive look. The tritium plots have aged with warmth and sit nicely against the grey dial surface.

The white gold fluted bezel gives the watch the classic Ref. 1601 appearance and pairs perfectly with the Jubilee bracelet. The acrylic crystal adds the warmth and softness collectors look for in a vintage Datejust.

Overall, this is a very charming vintage Datejust with an uncommon dial character and strong everyday wearability.

Accessories / The Set

This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality and overall integrity than whether a box or papers happen to be present.

Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we do not 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 are supplied with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

Why Buy This Watch

The Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 is one of the best entry points into proper vintage Rolex. It has the right size, the right movement, the right case design and the unmistakable vintage Rolex feel.

This example stands out because of the grey ghosted dial. It gives the watch far more character than a standard Datejust while still remaining understated and wearable. In some lights it looks clean and refined, while in others the dial text becomes more subtle and ghost-like, adding real charm.

For someone looking for a classic vintage Rolex Datejust with a more unusual dial, this 1970 Ref. 1601 is a very attractive example. It is elegant, versatile and full of the kind of small details that make vintage Rolex collecting so enjoyable.

Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced where required to meet our exacting standards. All purchases are supplied with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging, full purchase documentation and a 12 month warranty as standard.