Introduced in 1945, the Rolex Datejust was the world’s first automatic wristwatch with an automatically changing date window at 3 o’clock. Over the decades, it has become one of Rolex’s most iconic models.

The present example is a Rolex Datejust reference 1601, produced in 1975, cased in solid 18K yellow gold. While the 1601 was most commonly manufactured in stainless steel or in steel and gold configurations, full gold examples are considerably rarer.

What further sets this watch apart is its diamond-set dial, adding a touch of luxury to the classic Datejust aesthetic. Noteworthy is the presence of the discreet “σ” (sigma) symbols at the bottom of the dial, flanking the “Swiss” designation. The sigma signature was introduced in the early 1970s by the Swiss watch industry to indicate the use of solid gold elements on the dial, in this case the applied hour markers.