Rolex 1601

[Dragonfan]

Anyone have a rep of this? I’m thinking of buying a gen from my birth year. I’d like to get some feedback about the size and wearability of a 36mm datejust. Also not sure about the lack of quickset date. Any help, info or pictures would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[p0pperini]

By coincidence, I'm currently considering exactly the same thing. If I do get a gen, I'm sure my wife will immediately requisition it, as she already has 5 reps of DJ 36ers. But I'd happily wear it too - a 36mm watch looks and wears fine on my 7in wrist.

Whether the size suits you will be personal choice/taste of course. Why not buy a cheap DJ 36 from DHGate? You could pick a cheapy up for about $40/50 just to see how they wear.

 

[Dragonfan]

By coincidence, I'm currently considering exactly the same thing. If I do get a gen, I'm sure my wife will immediately requisition it, as she already has 5 reps of DJ 36ers. But I'd happily wear it too - a 36mm watch looks and wears fine on my 7in wrist.

Whether the size suits you will be personal choice/taste of course. Why not buy a cheap DJ 36 from DHGate? You could pick a cheapy up for about $40/50 just to see how they wear.

The DHGate idea is a good one. I have a WTB thread open for a high quality 1600, 1601 or 1603 vintage rep. I guess I’m hoping that a good enough rep will scratch the itch at 20% of the price. Probably not though. I have my eye on a 1601 with silver dial and 14k bezel from the mid 1970s. I’m seeing prices around $4000.

 

[johloo]

I don't think there are any factory made reps of this but you can build one using raffles case / parts + gen dial for a sweet little franken. I built one last year using a swiss 2893 movement which pushed the cost up to $700, but you can use a clone A2824 and it should cost a little less than $500 in parts:

https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...30414-1603-datejust-w-gen-dial-bezel-eta-2893

 

[Dragonfan]

That looks great. Do you do any commission work? I’d like to have one built for me. I’m not really capable of it myself.

 

[vintagepassioneurope]

I prefer the 5 digits Date Just (instead of 4)
in my opinion the 16014 is better than the 1601
Because of the general look (i do not like the pie pan dial and its effect)
And because of the quick set date movement (3035 instead of 1570)
I'm building (my watchmaker) a franken 16014 all gen (case, WG bezel, dial, crown, band) except of movement. And it will fit an ETA 2836 + datedisc
I will show you as soon as i will have it

Just for your info: i'm looking for a gen cal 3035 to complete the watch (if anyone has it to sell)

 

[Dragonfan]

Sounds beautiful. I’d love to see pics. How much do you estimate it will cost? I have seen gen five digit datejust s from the early 1980s going for around $5k.

 

[NCRich]

I've built several. Not one of the harder builds. Gen bezel and dial. How much depends on how much that costs you.

 

[Dragonfan]

I've built several. Not one of the harder builds. Gen bezel and dial. How much depends on how much that costs you.

that looks really good. I have seen dials for $150-$200 and gold fluted bezels from about $350

 

[Dragonfan]

Sounds like to build a super franken would cost about half the price of a decent gen.

 

[NCRich]

Sounds like to build a super franken would cost about half the price of a decent gen.

Well, I've bought several gen dials for $50 each. That gen machined bezel was $100. But I shopped a lot on ebay. Even at double that its not close to half a gen. Building a DJ is a matter of diminishing returns. Raffles sells a decent case for $55 or so, hands are $20. A 2824 clone is $50.

Dial and bezel are 90% of the look. Stuff like gen crowns just are not worth the money to me. They are usually ragged out (that is why you can buy them) and add little to the watch. Gen plexi? A Clark is just about as good.

Frankens can be a bottomless pit or you can be smart about it. At the end of the day if you didn't buy the gen its just a toy you built. If you got the money to pay $2500 for a toy watch then be smart and buy the gen.

 

[manodeoro]

Well, I've bought several gen dials for $50 each. That gen machined bezel was $100. But I shopped a lot on ebay. Even at double that its not close to half a gen. Building a DJ is a matter of diminishing returns. Raffles sells a decent case for $55 or so, hands are $20. A 2824 clone is $50.

Dial and bezel are 90% of the look. Stuff like gen crowns just are not worth the money to me. They are usually ragged out (that is why you can buy them) and add little to the watch. Gen plexi? A Clark is just about as good.

Frankens can be a bottomless pit or you can be smart about it. At the end of the day if you didn't buy the gen its just a toy you built. If you got the money to pay $2500 for a toy watch then be smart and buy the gen.

Hi R hope everything's OK for you and family ... just let me know next time you visit France

AND ... next time you stumble on a gen 1601/1603 dial in correct condition for $50 and don't need it ... please let me know

 

[NCRich]

Hi R hope everything's OK for you and family ... just let me know next time you visit France

AND ... next time you stumble on a gen 1601/1603 dial in correct condition for $50 and don't need it ... please let me know

Hiya mate. Same to you!

I bought 4 one time for $100 total. Good days.

 

[manodeoro]

Hiya mate. Same to you!

I bought 4 one time for $100 total. Good days.

Good days indeed ... Now average price is 1 for $200 ...

 

[philwongnz]

$100 each seems pretty good. Are they damaged or in good condition? Last time I check even damaged ones command around $50 to $100 as people harvest the coronet

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

 

[Energo]

Most dials are sold by repainted. Recently, I won bidding for a new dial for 1601 not cheap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275276302669

 

[kiev4a]

Someone can help me finding a dial index for a genuine dial with some index missing?