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cvalue13
·Three years before I was born, in 1974, my grandfather was murdered - executed while sitting at his desk. While I never knew my grandfather, he’s a figure that has loomed large in my family’s life - perhaps especially mine.
Because my grandfather has loomed large in my life, I think, my aunt yesterday turns to me and says, “It’s no fun if you have to wait until *I* die,” and slips off her wrist my grandfather’s 1601 datejust.
My grandfather was wearing the watch when he was killed. It spent almost a year in an evidence locker (at least that’s what family lore holds). My grandfather’s execution remains the oldest known cold case in my home state.
Not being a vintage datejust head, I find myself here asking the forum for any insights or information that might be of interest.
I’ll start with the four main things I *do* know:
(1) My aunt says it was purchased by my grandmother, she thinks, in 1969 or 1968. My sticky-ball has been unable to remove the caseback to chase the serial date from the (certainly) 1570 movement, and that serial dating is something I’ll need to chase.
(2) Also, the watch has obviously been over-polished through the years; the “fluted” bezel being a bit more of a “bumpy” bezel, and the lugs buttery.
(3) I’m not yet certain of the recent service history, but intend to ask my aunt later today and then respond appropriately.
(4) Finally, the watch is priceless.
One known question:
This two-tone datejust, purported to be purchased in 1968-1969, has a “sigma dial.” My understanding is that sigma dials were not “official” with Rolex until 1970, and and they most typically denoted white gold use on dials, but they are known to have been used more rarely by certain dial manufacturers before 1970 (as early as 1968?) and found on two-tones with yellow gold indices.
Otherwise, I welcome any other observations about the watch (bracelet parts especially), and here just to show off my last - and surprise - acquisition of 2021, which immediately becomes my most prized watch “in the box.”
Because my grandfather has loomed large in my life, I think, my aunt yesterday turns to me and says, “It’s no fun if you have to wait until *I* die,” and slips off her wrist my grandfather’s 1601 datejust.
My grandfather was wearing the watch when he was killed. It spent almost a year in an evidence locker (at least that’s what family lore holds). My grandfather’s execution remains the oldest known cold case in my home state.
Not being a vintage datejust head, I find myself here asking the forum for any insights or information that might be of interest.
I’ll start with the four main things I *do* know:
(1) My aunt says it was purchased by my grandmother, she thinks, in 1969 or 1968. My sticky-ball has been unable to remove the caseback to chase the serial date from the (certainly) 1570 movement, and that serial dating is something I’ll need to chase.
(2) Also, the watch has obviously been over-polished through the years; the “fluted” bezel being a bit more of a “bumpy” bezel, and the lugs buttery.
(3) I’m not yet certain of the recent service history, but intend to ask my aunt later today and then respond appropriately.
(4) Finally, the watch is priceless.
One known question:
This two-tone datejust, purported to be purchased in 1968-1969, has a “sigma dial.” My understanding is that sigma dials were not “official” with Rolex until 1970, and and they most typically denoted white gold use on dials, but they are known to have been used more rarely by certain dial manufacturers before 1970 (as early as 1968?) and found on two-tones with yellow gold indices.
Otherwise, I welcome any other observations about the watch (bracelet parts especially), and here just to show off my last - and surprise - acquisition of 2021, which immediately becomes my most prized watch “in the box.”
