Not a DJ (I’m not a fan of them), but I do have a nice blue Shantung dial 1002. I’ve seen these dials on DJs, but i think the date window and magnifier spoil the beauty of the dial. Hard to find these blue dials with non-degraded lume.

 

Those Shantung dials are fantastic.

 

Gorgeous linen dial

I agree with you. I personally think that DJ.s are overlooked and underrated. These days everyone seems to want 40mm or larger but a 36mm is a very comfortable daily wearer, in my humble opinion. There are so many interesting dials across the 4 and 5 SS and TT references. The hardest part in finding a nice piece today is being able to get around all the polishing that so many have been subjected to over the years.

A few years ago I set out to acquire a few that appeal to me. Some have come and gone but I have been fortunate to find these that are still in decent shape. Yes, I do have a thing for blue dials...



1603 "Buckley" from 1977 with a flawless dial and intact plots.

The case is still even and the original oyster bracelet is still complete and very tight








16233 from 1996





Lume plots and hands have taken on an equal caramel tone that is hard to capture with my phone camera




16220 complete set from 2002 (recently Rolex serviced and still stickered and unworn )

 

here is my 1003 with shantung dial that has tropicalized. Looks like a well worn pair of jeans. Wabi sabi for days!

 

I've always loved DateJusts. The line dial and the Tuxedo dials shown are very classy. I also have always favored the 1601 style, though the early 3500 series movements are also quite nice. I prefer them on a strap...and a brown croc with the gold and steel is very restrained...the two metals just go well together, as Omegas also show. This is a black dialed one I owned, and as with so many, I don't know why I sold it. But it is time to get another.

 

Totally agree with smooth or engine-turned bezels, that's really my preferred combo. I think an oyster bracelet would look a little funny with a fluted bezel.

 

It's not a good idea to get watch junkies thinking about ones they used to have but no longer do. After looking at this thread and remembering all the DateJusts that have come and gone in my life...and finding myself cruising through eBay, looking at them again...well I stumbled up this...in 18k 1601...1570 movement, pie pan dial...recently serviced by the seller, who has very good...excellent feedback. So we started going back and forth...gently...on the price...and now it is mine. A couple of the seller's pics until I have it in hand and can take my own.

 

What I love about this watch (and most vintage watches) is how the years have softened the edges. Some polishing I'm sure, and also just the 56 years of handling that this watch has gone through. I love that the bezel isn't sharp and crisp, as when new. Who knows what changes have been made to this watch during those 5+ decades. What matters to me is that the wear all seems even, and the lume on the hands and dial also appear to be of the same age. If I wanted a watch that looked new, I'd buy a new watch. My favorite watch also has these same traits. It looks great, even though the lume on the minute hand is long since gone. I have no desire to replace it.

 

My vote for The DateJust is 36mm, smooth bezel on a jubilee, preferably with a white dial.
Fortunately I found this on my wrist.

 

I dare say one can do just a collection of vintage datejusts and never tire of the variations they can come in. They will always have a spot in my collection. I myself am on my second one, though my patinaed black dial is hard to pick up for pictures.

 

Not the best picture, but this one seems to have become my daily. Sigma pie pan, linen.

 

Nice. Love the oval link also.

 

The oval link, big crown bracelet is the cream of the crop IMHO!

 

Thanks for the compliments, guys.

When it arrived, that bracelet had spectacular stretch — it would have needed at least three links removed to fit. Off it went to RolliWorks and I was very pleased with the result (and, by the way, with their customer service).

 

It just arrived. I immediately put it on the Jubilee. It is the perfect marriage. Yes, it is a lot of gold, but Rolex got it right with this one.

 

certainly a beaut, dont see too many of those every day

 

Bought an 84/85 16030 a few mo. ago and couldn't be more pleased. This one has a matte blue dial with double indices. The blue has faded to an almost periwinkle/lavender. Still has the plastic crystal and the open 6/9 date wheel which I love. A real sweet spot for me!

 

Beautiful. Enjoy it in good health.

 

I love it. In my opinion, that lavender color was original for these 5-digit DJs, I have a 16000 with the exact same color, and I have seen many other examples.

 

Beauty

I now regret selling my one from ‘85. That is a fantastic dial.