Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 1601 — 18k Yellow Gold, Lapis Lazuli Khanjar Dial, Circa 1975

Certain vintage Datejusts stand above the reference itself, and this is one of them. Beneath the familiar architecture of the reference 1601 lies a configuration that brings together three of the most desirable themes in vintage Rolex collecting: solid yellow gold, a hard-stone lapis lazuli dial, and the Khanjar crest of Oman. Antiquorum describes this exact combination as “very fine and extremely rare,” noting that examples such as these are especially sought after because few stone dials were produced, and fewer still survive in strong condition.

What makes the watch especially compelling is the dial. Lapis lazuli dials are already among the most charismatic expressions of the vintage Datejust, prized for their depth, texture, and the fact that no two stones are ever truly identical. Hairspring goes so far as to describe stone-dial Datejusts as the “ultimate 1601s,” adding that only Oman stone dials can meaningfully rival them within the reference. Here, that natural blue surface is elevated further by the Omani Khanjar at 6 o’clock — the emblem associated with watches commissioned during the reign of Sultan Qaboos and often presented as gifts in recognition of service or diplomacy.

The case details confirm a classic and desirable specification. The reference 1601 is engraved between the lugs, while the serial 4061268 places production in 1975 by Rolex serial charts, fully in line with the period in which these Omani-signed watches were commissioned. The inner caseback is stamped 1601 and 18k / 0.750, while the movement is the celebrated automatic calibre 1570. Antiquorum records this serial-numbered watch as a 1975 example in 18k yellow gold with an 18k yellow gold Jubilee bracelet and deployant clasp.

Beyond rarity, this piece has the quality collectors hope to find but rarely do. The dial presents with the strong, organic character that makes hard-stone Rolexes so captivating, and from the images it appears to remain beautifully preserved, with the natural surface intact and the Khanjar signature retaining its visual presence. For the connoisseur, that matters enormously: the market places a clear premium on originality, and on stone dials that have survived without cracks, heavy intervention, or loss of character. Hairspring notes just how fragile these watches can be, which only sharpens the appeal of a well-preserved example.

This is, in every sense, a collector’s Datejust: a reference that is already foundational to vintage Rolex, elevated by a hard-stone dial, further distinguished by the Omani crest, and made more compelling still by the evident honesty of the watch. It is the sort of piece that sits at the intersection of beauty, history, and geopolitical provenance — discreet in format, but deeply serious in collecting terms.

• Brand: Rolex
• Model: Oyster Perpetual Datejust
• Reference: 1601
• Year: Circa 1975
• Serial number: 4061268
• Case material: 18k yellow gold
• Case size: 36 mm
• Bezel: Fluted yellow gold
• Dial: Blue lapis lazuli stone dial with Khanjar crest of Oman
• Movement: Rolex calibre 1570, automatic, 26 jewels
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
• Bracelet: 18k yellow gold Jubilee bracelet with Rolex clasp
• Hallmarks / engravings visible: 1601 between lugs, 18k / 0.750 inside caseback, serial 4061268, movement signed Rolex Genève Swiss