1601 ‘Japan Dial’ Datejust

We’re glad to offer you another superb vintage Datejust, this time a gorgeous piece from 1971 with an unusual, so-called ‘Japan Dial’. This term stems from the Japanese government’s prohibition on importing goods having radioactive material in or on them from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. As a result, Rolex produced watch dials and hands without the radioactive element Tritium, which the brand had previously used for the dial’s and hands’ luminous properties. Look closely and you will observe that the hands are ‘closed’ without a line of luminescent material, as is the dial, which lacks luminescent dots at the ends of the hour-markers.

The lack of Tritium on the dial and inside the hands creates a very fresh-looking vintage Datejust. The dial is just gorgeous! The massive sunray lines, along with the fat, white gold brushed indices and their subtle polished facets at the top and bottom, are out of this world. To top it all off, this Datejust retains the great, slightly narrower serif font that I personally adore; you may not notice it at first, but compare this font to an 80’s or ’90’s Datejust dial and you will see what I mean – The devil is in the details. This 1601 ‘Japan Dial’ Datejust has a strong case and a sharp 18k white gold fluted bezel that is still in excellent shape. The watch is worn on a 62510H Jubilee bracelet with 555 end links and is accompanied by a green Rolex service pouch and parts replaced during service.

This rare, vintage 1601 ‘Japan Dial’ Datejust with spectacular Sunburst dial and overall exceptional condition, has been fully serviced, and the watch comes with our extensive two year warranty.

reference: 1601
case number: 264XXXX
year of production: 1971
case diameter: 36mm
movement: self-winding, Rolex caliber 1570
box and papers: accompanied by green Rolex pouch and parts replaced during service

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