Patina & Plexi | Vintage Watch Collecting Guide.

The Ultimate Vintage Rolex Datejust 1601 Buying Guide (2026 UK Market) If you were to ask a room full of horologists to draw a luxury watch from memory, the majority would sketch a Rolex Datejust. It is the archetype. Within that legendary lineage, the Reference 1601 stands out as the quintessential vintage model. Offering the perfect blend of mid-century charm and everyday reliability, this vintage Rolex Datejust 1601 buying guide will walk you through exactly what to look for when hunting for the ultimate one-watch collection. The first time I handled a 1601, it belonged to a retired architect I met down by the Hove promenade. It was on a heavily stretched Jubilee bracelet that rattled like an old bicycle chain, but the silver dial caught the autumn light beautifully. He had worn it every single day since 1972. That is the appeal of the 1601—it isn't a safe queen; it is a watch meant to be lived in. Understanding the Reference 1601 Produced from the late 1950s all the wa...