
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Rolex Datejust, 'Doorstop' Dial, ref. 1601, Rose/Pink Gold and Steel, circa 1964
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex (maker)
- Date
- c. 1964
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dimensions
- Case 28 mm
- Stock no.
- vws1362
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws1362)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Rolex Datejust - Rare 'Doorstop' Dial - Reference 1601 - Rose/Pink Gold and Steel - c.1964 (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws1362), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1964. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 28 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
A Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Model Reference 1601 in a Rare Rose/Pink Gold and Steel Combination, With Unusual Doorstop Hour Markers, Produced in 1964. From Martin Luther King to Harrison Ford, the Datejust model has graced the wrists of many notable figures in all fields of work, thus further solidifying Rolex’s motto “Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches”. This reference 1601, happens to be highly popular within the Datejust range and is a sought-after piece. This signature look on the Datejust has been a hugely popular configuration for decades and is a real trophy watch for anyone to own. No matter the occasion, the Datejust model fits in and adapts perfectly. The date aperture is positioned at 3 o’clock with the legendary Rolex crown logo at 12 o’clock Launched in 1945 with the first reference 4467, the Datejust model has been one of the most successful and recognized watches in the world and has been an inspiration for thousands of models since. Rolex introduced the Datejust to celebrate their 40 th Anniversary and originally was only available in yellow gold and featured Rolex's iconic Oyster waterproof case. The Datejust is offered with 2 types of bracelets, Jubilee & Oyster with the present example being on a sensational Jubilee. Now available in a multitude of sizes from 28mm to 41mm, the original reference came in the classic 36mm size which has remained a popular size ever since. In 1955 the Turn-O-Graph model was introduced as an award given to US Air Force pilots returning home from combat missions. What's on offer The Rolex model on offer in this listing is a reference 1601, but a rarer vintage Rose Gold and Steel version with a 'Doorstop' dial, we have dated this piece from its serial number to 1964, so ideal for a 60th birthday! It features a rose gold fluted bezel, and a lovely elegant Jubilee bracelet, and is rounded off nicely with the brushed dial and gold baton indices and hands. The condition of the example on offer is great. Some signs of wear but in line with the age of the watch, the rarer vertically brushed and textured dial remains crisp and perfectly intact as you would come to expect from the Rolex brand. The offer watch here has started to take on some nice and even patina as you can likely see in some of our photos! The rose/pink gold fluted bezel wraps around the case and further enhances the elegance of the watch which is aptly finished with a classic matching pink gold and steel Jubilee bracelet which is again in wonderful condition. This watch wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of either a lady or gentleman in casual wear or in a more formal setting. The pink gold gives this watch added chic, but without it slapping you in the face as some yellow gold pieces do!
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Calendar, moon-phase and perpetual calendar watches
Calendar complications range from a simple date to the perpetual calendar, which automatically allows for months of different lengths and leap years until 2100. Pocket watches with perpetual calendars were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Patek Philippe made the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and series production followed in 1941. The annual calendar (Patek Philippe, 1996) needs correction only once a year.
Moon-phase displays use a disc with two moons and 59 teeth advanced daily, approximating the 29.5-day lunation; more precise trains reduce the error to one day in over a century.
What to look for
- Apertures or subsidiary dials for day, date, month and leap year.
- Moon disc under a 'bosom' shaped aperture.
- Recessed correctors on the case band for setting the calendar.
Dating clues
- Triple-date wristwatches: popular c. 1940–1955.
- Perpetual calendar wristwatches: from 1925 (unique) and 1941 (series).
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Related records
Movements & Components · c. 1970s
Rolex watch movement, c. 1970s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Pocket Watches · 1982
Fake Rolex watch, gold coloured metal, possibly made in Taiwan, 1982; part of a casual outfit, UK, 1982-84.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Wristwatches · c. 1920s
Rolex wristwatch, c. 1920s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1920s
Rolex wristwatch, ref. 6194, c. 1920s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
