Arguably the definitive watch of the last 60 years. This model has been an ever-present in the Rolex line-up, with the formula remaining the same to this day. A fluted bezel, date magnifier and jubilee bracelet. This is an instantly recognisable classic that many people have aspired to own since its creation.
The dial has a beautiful brushed sunburst finish, radiating from the centre. The silver tone 3D “pie-pan” dial is very sought after by collectors due to its beauty and added complexity. It has a recessed outer ring which falls away from the main face of the dial, containing the lume plots and minute track. This appears to elevate the applied hour markers, magnifying the outer ring with the crystals thickness. This adds to the multi-layered complexity of this reference.
The acrylic crystal is original. It is immediately recognisable, with its high profile, with the magnifier adding to this. This reference has a warm feel to touch due to the relative softness of the acrylic crystal.
The joy of owning this watch comes from admiring the polished sides of the case, running into the white gold fluted bezel, then the soft crystal with cyclops. This drastic stepped design as well as the texture different materials and finishes used are endearing.
The hour and minute hands are original, of stick style in silver tone. They have a lume filled centre which is in good patinated condition. The silver tone central second is also original and is in good condition.
The crown is original of classic Oyster style and is in good condition. It screws down and has a sharp coin edge. It is signed with the Rolex crown.
The case is formed of Stainless Steel and is in good condition. The bezel is fluted with a polished and has light surface scratches consistent with age. It is formed of 18ct white gold. It is a classic Oyster case with a brushed finish on the lug, falling into a polished finish on the sides, with brushed underside of lugs. The lugs are drilled which makes spring bar removal very easy. The case has been refinished in the past.
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in good original condition. The inside of the case back is signed “Montres Rolex SA, Geneva Switzerland, Patented, Stainless Steel” with the reference 1601 and the code 1.70.
The bracelet is a reference 6251H, of Jubilee style and is original to the watch. It has the date code for 1970. It is in good original and will fits any sized wrist, being full length.
The movement is a Rolex 1570. It is an automatic calibre with central second and date function. It has a jewel count of 26 and a frequency of 19,800 BPH. It has a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. It was used between 1965-1974. The date is not quickset. It is keeping time to -10 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 1.1m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is in excellent original condition, making this a very good example. It is of pie-pan style, with the outer edge dropping slightly. The dial is silver in tone, with a brushed sunburst finish radiating from the centre. The second markers sit within the outer edge of the pie-pan, dropping away, with lume pips on every 5-minute marker. The hour markers are beautifully applied in a silver tone. The watch has a date window at 3 O’clock which is magnified by the Cyclopes. The window is faceted, falling away to meet the window itself. The wheel is white with black Arabic numerals.
The dial has the Rolex crown logo at 12 O’clock, signed “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust” below, with “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” above 6 O’clock and “T Swiss T” below.
Hands:
The hour and minute hands are original, of stick style in silver tone. They have a lume filled centre which is in good patinated condition. The silver tone central second is also original and is in good condition.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and has some fine and light scratches consistent with age.
Crown:
The crown is original of classic Oyster style and is in good condition. It screws down and has a sharp coin edge. It is signed with the Rolex crown.
Case:
The case is formed of Stainless Steel and is in good condition. The bezel is fluted with a polished and has light surface scratches consistent with age. It is formed of 18ct white gold. It is a classic Oyster case with a brushed finish on the lug, falling into a polished finish on the sides, with brushed underside of lugs. The lugs are drilled which makes spring bar removal very easy. The case has been refinished in the past.
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in good original condition. The coin edge finish is in good condition. The flat surface of the rear has a brushed finish.
The inside of the case back is signed “Montres Rolex SA, Geneva Switzerland, Patented, Stainless Steel” with the reference 1601 and the code 1.70.
Bracelet:
The bracelet is a reference 6251H, of Jubilee style and is original to the watch. It has the date code for 1970. It is in good original and will fits any sized wrist, being full length.
Movement:
The movement is a Rolex 1570. It is an automatic calibre with central second and date function. It has a jewel count of 26 and a frequency of 19,800 BPH. It has a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. It was used between 1965-1974. The date is not quickset.
The service history is unknown, but the watch would appear to have been recently serviced with very good time keeping figures.
It is keeping time to -10 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 1.1m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 36mm
Case width with crown: 38.5mm
Case length: 34.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 43.5mm
Lug width: 20mm
Case Depth: 11.5mm