Your top 5 Vintage DateJust

[m-abz-t]

What would you have on the top 5? Just to clarify on what I mean on vintage; something unique / rarity, meaningful, originality, collectability and not just the age of the watch. Can we please have model numbers rather than 'anything with 4 digits'

I was just having a discussion recently with colleagues / friends and 1601 and 16233 kept coming up.

Since I only have the 16013 I would say that's my top one lol

DJ.jpg

[speedolex]

I'll offer up what I'd call the "quintessential" Datejust, a silver-sunburst-stainless 1601 or 1603 on a Jubilee bracelet with stick markers. The 1603 (mine shown above) had an engine-turned bezel that was a touch less blingy than the 1601 and its white gold bezel.

If you ask me, even today this is the DJ configuration to own.

[fenway]

I love my 16014.

[m-abz-t]

speedolex I may consider 1601 next.

fenway, that looks mint!!

[michael067]

Originally Posted by fenway

I love my 16014.

Had one just like it, it was a 16030 with an engine turned bezel. Want to get the same one again one day.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by m-abz-t

speedolex I may consider 1601 next.

First you need to decide what style you want:

Stainless
Two-Tone
Gold

Then you have to decide what color dial you want:

Silver
Champagne
Slate
Blue
Green
White

Then you have to decide what dial markers you want:

Stick
Roman
Arabic

Then you have to decide what dial style you want:

Pie-pan
Sunburst
Matte

From those decisions we can then direct you to the proper model number.

The Datejust is essentially the same watch today as it was 50 years ago and what's fun about DJ collecting is that there are an endless combination of dials available but what can be frustrating is knowing which models were available with which dials. For example, a 1603 was never available in gold and a 1601 was never available with a white dial. Two-Tone models were all the rage in the 80's and that is the period you can find a Tapestry dial if you like that look. Most years have the cyclops, early models didn't. For half its life the DJ had a pie-pan sunken dial but those ended in the 80's. Arrowhead markers are fantastic but those stopped in the 70's.

So before you consider one model of DJ over the other, it starts with you going to Google Images and looking for the exact combination of materials, dial colors, dial markings, bracelets, clasps, etc. From that the experts here will be able to tell you what model numbers and years to focus on. Rolex released more Datejust's than most watch companies released watches, it's like a company in itself. Fun, but not easy to decipher.

[locutus49]

I owned a 1601 for 20 years. I regret selling it.

[m-abz-t]

I seen the following Dj 1601 few days ago, was considering making an offer.
Has box and paperwork and claims everything is original from dial, handles, movement, bracelet , box , paperwork etc.
Unfortunately no pics of the movement.

1.jpg

2.jpg

[m-abz-t]

Speedolex I agree, need to take a lot in consideration.
I do like the roman numerals on my 16013, but want to move away from the yellow gold / two tone .

[m-abz-t]

Any comments for the 16014 pics posted above would be appreciated. Thanks

[azguy]

SS, Blue and a jubilee, that's a winner in my book

[OmegaBear]

how about a 6605 from the late 1950s, black dial, checkerboard bezel, alpha hands? :)

[oldLeatherNeck]

These DJs are beautiful and believe or not, they cost more than the subs when sold new. But too bad they made too many of these. They are what you call :" dime a dozen".

To collect these, you've got to find a DJ with very seen dial ie lapis, Stellas, or gilt etc... but too bad, the first 2 came in the 18K only.

so it leaves you with GILT datejusts. They are very hard to find, and the price is still low.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by oldLeatherNeck

These DJs are beautiful and believe or not, they cost more than the subs when sold new. But too bad they made too many of these. They are what you call :" dime a dozen".

To collect these, you've got to find a DJ with very seen dial ie lapis, Stellas, or gilt etc... but too bad, the first 2 came in the 18K only.

so it leaves you with GILT datejusts. They are very hard to find, and the price is still low.

Not so fast there, mate.

There are charms in even the most popular Datejusts from the 60's and 70's, especially the pie-pan dials, wide boy hands, lesser known colors, high-relief markers, etc. One builds a collection of DJ's, one does not seek out a single example. They are 'vintage affordable', one can get more enjoyment out of 3 or 4 vintage Datejusts than a single vintage Sub. DJ's are more diverse, more interesting.

Trust me, I know.

[m-abz-t]

speedolex love your collection and I agree they are more diverse.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by m-abz-t

speedolex love your collection and I agree they are more diverse.

Thank you! Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread, but I had to defend the honor of the Datejust, the most misunderstood and disrespected watch in the Rolex galaxy.

[bubbaK]

Originally Posted by fenway

I love my 16014.

Nice Buckley dial!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Thank you! Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread, but I had to defend the honor of the Datejust, the most misunderstood and disrespected watch in the Rolex galaxy.

And the most popular

My wife's 1603 from 1966.

[michael067]

great pics

[Juggernaut]

Classic
My favorite is the elusive and rare 16000

[Juggernaut]

Here's a tapestry I recently sold:

[dexvd]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Not so fast there, mate.

There are charms in even the most popular Datejusts from the 60's and 70's, especially the pie-pan dials, wide boy hands, lesser known colors, high-relief markers, etc. One builds a collection of DJ's, one does not seek out a single example. They are 'vintage affordable', one can get more enjoyment out of 3 or 4 vintage Datejusts than a single vintage Sub. DJ's are more diverse, more interesting.

Trust me, I know.

Love this slate and gold combo.

[cenzor]

And here is mine, 50 years old.. Rarely wear it due to small size, but love holding it and putting it on the wrist from time to time.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

And the most popular

My wife's 1603 from 1966.

Don't know how I missed this, a beauty.

Originally Posted by dexvd

Love this slate and gold combo.

Thanks, I was looking for a gold/gold 1601 but once I saw this example with the Slate dial I was stopped dead in my tracks, had to have it.

Originally Posted by cenzor

And here is mine, 50 years old.. Rarely wear it due to small size, but love holding it and putting it on the wrist from time to time.

Gorgeous! 36mm is back in vogue as the oversized trend wanes, you need to start wearing that more often.

[Juggernaut]

Another favorite of mine was 162XX with the Jubilee Arabic dial. I had one in cream, now it's my brother's:



But I think the most gorgeous is the Blue Jubilee Arabic dial...I bought the dial first and found myself a beater just to swap in the dial!:

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

But I think the most gorgeous is the Blue Jubilee Arabic dial...I bought the dial first and found myself a beater just to swap in the dial!

Fantastic DJ.

[seattleal]

1601/1603 Wide Boys

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by seattleal

1601/1603 Wide Boys

Nice! I know a guy in Hong Kong who has a mint yellow gold 1601 Wide Boy if you're looking for a matching set.

[Verdi]

Too many nice ones.

[dexvd]

Originally Posted by speedolex

First you need to decide what style you want:

Stainless
Two-Tone
Gold

Then you have to decide what color dial you want:

Silver
Champagne
Slate
Blue
Green
White

Then you have to decide what dial markers you want:

Stick
Roman
Arabic

Then you have to decide what dial style you want:

Pie-pan
Sunburst
Matte

From those decisions we can then direct you to the proper model number.

The Datejust is essentially the same watch today as it was 50 years ago and what's fun about DJ collecting is that there are an endless combination of dials available but what can be frustrating is knowing which models were available with which dials. For example, a 1603 was never available in gold and a 1601 was never available with a white dial. Two-Tone models were all the rage in the 80's and that is the period you can find a Tapestry dial if you like that look. Most years have the cyclops, early models didn't. For half its life the DJ had a pie-pan sunken dial but those ended in the 80's. Arrowhead markers are fantastic but those stopped in the 70's.

So before you consider one model of DJ over the other, it starts with you going to Google Images and looking for the exact combination of materials, dial colors, dial markings, bracelets, clasps, etc. From that the experts here will be able to tell you what model numbers and years to focus on. Rolex released more Datejust's than most watch companies released watches, it's like a company in itself. Fun, but not easy to decipher.

Just to confirm, in terms of DateJust models that haven't been 'modified' there has never been a solid yellow gold with green dial or a SS or WG with red dial correct?