WatchWorks Haarlem
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1601 Datejust “Japan Linen”
We’re excited to offer you guys this magnificent 1601 Datejust “Japan Linen” from 1973 which almost looks like it is in a new old stock condition. This watch features a super fat case, a razorsharp 18k white gold fluted bezel which really looks as if it was never polished (with some warm oxidization of the gold in certain places) the original folded Jubilee without stretch, and a fantastic, damage free Linnen dial with the coveted ‘Japan’ features. All the above truly makes this vintage 1601 quite the looker, and a very rare watch at that, as a 1601 in this particular condition is very hard to come by.

The dial is nothing short of stunning! The Linen fabric style of design on the dial, in combination with those sturdy looking brushed indices and their subtle polished facets on the top and bottom, are very attractive. The Japan nickname to this dial comes from the fact that from the 1960’s up to the mid 1970’s the Japanese government banned the import of goods into the country with radio-active material in, or on them. For this reason, Rolex manufactured watch-dials and watch-hands without the radioactive material Tritium, which of course was used by the brand for the luminescent characteristics of the dial and hands. Look close and you will notice that the hands on this 1601 are ‘closed’ and without a line of luminescent material, the same applies to the dial – no luminescent dots at the end of the hour-markers. By the way, all indices including the hands on this vintage Datejust are manufactured from 18k white gold. In day and/or sunlight this silver dial will show you a warmer tone. Also, due to the composition of alloys used in vintage gold, the 18k white gold fluted bezel shows a warmer hue when compared to the ‘cool’ stainless steel of the case and bracelet. As mentioned the watch remains in like new conditions, this means the case is in a great condition with thick lugs and sharp edges all around, and is fitted to its original stainless steel 6251 folded jubilee bracelet with 55 end-links, which is also like new. with zero stretch. As you can see, the original 1601 factory case-back sticker is also still attached to the watch.