Rolex Datejust 1600 'Blue Shantung/Mosaic'

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Vintage Rolex watches offer an amazing variety of dial configurations, with different dial colors, different finishes, and different marker options. The Shantung dial (also as Mosaic or Brick) is one of the most captivating and uncommon variations among them.The Shantung moniker refers to the horizontal weave-like texture reminiscent of Shantung silk that originated from the Chinese province of Shandong. Shantung dials are quite uncommon and usually only appear on Rolex Date models from the 1960s and 70s. A Shantung dial on a Datejust though? That’s a proper rare sight.This lovely ref. 1600 Datejust features a Shantung dial with a purplish blue hue. The watch dates back to 1970 and features a 36mm stainless steel, matching steel domed bezel, and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet. The combination of the smooth bezel and the toned down Oyster bracelet ensure that the rare Shantung dial has all the opportunity to shine.

Introduction

Rolex DatejustIn 1945 Rolex created the flagship Datejust to mark the company’s 40th anniversary. This model was the world’s first self-winding wristwatch with a date indication. With the Datejust, Rolex also introduced the iconic 5-piece jubilee bracelet, first in solid gold and later in bicolor and stainless steel. On the tenth anniversary of the Datejust in 1955, the magnifying ‘cyclops lens’ was introduced on the Datejust.Ref. 16xx (1600, 1601, 1603)The Datejust 16xx series was produced in the 1960s and the 1970s. These affordable and user-friendly Datejusts are the perfect vintage ‘daily beaters’ that can be combined with any outfit and worn on every occasion. The Datejust is usually fitted with a Jubilee bracelet, but the ref. 1600 could also be ordered on an Oyster bracelet. This reference came with a smooth bezel (domed bezel) and was available in either (white, yellow, or rose) gold or in stainless steel. The ref. 1601 came with a fluted bezel in gold and was available with a steel, bicolor, or (white, yellow and rose gold) case and bracelet. The ref. 1603 was only made in steel and featured an engine turned bezel in steel.The dial colors and configurations varied among the 16xx series Datejusts. Characteristic for this era of production is the so-called ‘Pie-Pan’ dial where the dial looks like an upside-down pie-pan (a concentric ring that slopes down from the flat centre).

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.