[f]Thomas’ favorite Rolex date is a history

When I shared an article a few weeks ago on “Five Facts You Maybe You Didn’t Know About Rolex Dating Just,” I promised to do more to celebrate 80 years of dating Just. Well, here we are! I can kick off a series of articles in history where each Fratello writer has his favourite Rolex dating just for his favorite Rolex.

Mine may not be so surprising to my regular readers, but I will try to make it a good claim once again. Let me explain why Steel Reference 1601 is my favorite Rolex dating just for you!

My Rolex Date Just Story

If you’re wondering why I’m taking the lead on these 2025 date just celebrations, it’s because DJs have a special place in my heart. This starts with my love for the watch of simple things to do. For this reason I am naturally drawn to explorers, permanent Oysters, and just dates within the Rolex collection.

But it gets a little deeper. When I was a vintage dealer at Amsterdam Watch Company, I decided to specialize in vintage Rolex dating. It was the most popular model in the store, so I felt it was a good thing to learn as much as possible. The fact that I loved watches made it an easy project.

This ultimately led me to write my book, “The Vintage Rolex DateJust Buyer’s & Collector’s Guide.” The book opened a lot of doors for me professionally, including RJ asking me to take part in the Frater. It was a bucket list project for me, and a project I would look back with great affection. Naturally, just dates are a big part of that attachment. I’m not trying to plug anything here. Since then I have sold out all the books, but it won’t be back (but you can get a copy from the Amsterdam Watch Company). But I think you can see why DateJust means a little more to me than any other watch.

My favorite Rolex date is always

Since I wrote the book, people often assume that I have a huge collection of date-just. The opposite is true. Hundreds of people have passed through my hands, but I just added it to my collection. This is my favorite Rolex date. So I put it on the cover of my book. The date I selected is Steel Reference 1601.

I’m a huge fan of bass watches. As long as I can appreciate the complications and the art of Métier, I often feel the clock design sing in the most basic form. In this vein, I think the typical Rolex date is the steel reference 1601 with a white gold fluted bezel.

For me, this is what I think when I imagine a Rolex dating. The grooved bezel, crystal cyclops, jubilee bracelets and shaved dials all define watches that have had a major impact on watch design since their inception.

My favorite rolex datejust sets templates

If you know one or two things about the history of Rolex DateJust, you can identify reference 1601 as setting the template. Dating changed dramatically in the 1940s and 1950s. It started with a leaded bezel, no cyclops, only a precious metal, and there were several different (and rather classic) style phones. Even the name “DateJust” was not printed on the dial for most of the model’s first decade.

Later, around 1959, Rolex introduced the 16xx generation. You might find the early ones at Alpha’s hands, but it wasn’t long before Rolex added the baton phone. And when it did, the template was set for all Rolex watches up to now.

For me, the period of fundamental and quick change ended with reference to 1601. After that, the clock evolved much more slowly. In fact, the previous 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx references look obviously old worlds, but 1601 looks pretty much the same as today’s date. You can even argue that things have gone downhill afterwards. For example, subsequent five-digit references come with a simplified flat dial. I strongly like DateJust Ref. 1601 shaved dial and the visual depth it creates.

The joy of owning and wearing

Another great advantage of my favorite Rolex Date Just is that it’s easy to own, even in 2025. Previous models tend to be very delicate and servicing due to the lack of available parts, but the Datejust 1601 is easy to keep on running. These vintage watches are sturdy, reliable and extremely easy to serve.

The wearing experience is just as great. The vintage 36mm watch may scare some, but the silver dial version is just as versatile as the watch comes. In the world of Gada (go anywhere, do anything) I lean towards formal/dressy. This means it works in absolutely any outfit, from a three-piece suit to a swimming trunk or flip-flop.

The good 1601 offers plenty of vintage charms, from thick box style acrylic crystals to Jungly Jubilee bracelets. Speaking of bracelets, a sharp observer may notice my inconsistency. The position of the Rolex Coronet on the clasp indicates that this bracelet comes from the United States. Meanwhile, the no-room dial suggests that the watch was sold in Japan. Therefore, the bracelet remains faithful to that period, but most likely combined with a later watch.

I concluded my favorite Rolex dating thoughts

There you have it – my favorite Rolex date is always the case. I am sure it was not such a surprise to the regular Frateror readers. And while I’m sure many people agree with the “simpler” mantra, many others find this to be an inspirational and boring choice. Luckily I have a lot of colleagues who quickly came up with their “best Rolex dating of all time” article! I am sure there is an even more bold choice between them.

For me, datejust ref. The 1601 is one of the best watches ever made. Yes, it’s a bold statement, but that’s how I feel. Since its inception, the watch has influenced many other designs, making it one of the most iconic watches of all time. My Reference 1601 is one of the few watches I think can’t be sold.

What’s your favorite Rolex date ever? Let us know in the comments section below!