A lovely example of theRolex from circa 1964 featuring a rare "Sigma" dial. The Datejust is one of our favourite Rolex's, a watch more suited to those who prefer understated elegant over in your face bling!
This particular features a Sigma pie pan dial. Pie Pan dials are so-called due to the angled outer ring on the dial that makes it resemble an inverted pie pan. It gives the watch a subtle 3D effect that adds an additional point ofinterest to an already beautiful watch. The sigma reference points to what appears to read O T Swiss T O but in fact, readsT Swiss T.
"" is the lowercase Greek letter for "Sigma", the mark used bya group of Swiss watchmakers in the 1970swho were part of the LAssociation pour la Promotion Industrielle de lOr or APIOR (The Association for the Industrial Promotion of Gold). Their goal was to highlight the use of gold on watches during a period (1970-1974) when the price of gold almost quintupled.
Whilst the trademark for the Sigma mark was registered in August 1971 there are numerous examples of watches known to be original from the late 1960sthat featured Sigma dials. The exact year when these started to appear is still debated but to lean on the side of caution we would say it is unlikely to not have stretched back to 1964. The conclusion then is whilst the current dial is an original dial, it was likely fitted at a later date. It should be noted that changing of dials on vintage Rolex's is by no means uncommon and a practice Rolex themselves are well known for doing in the past when watches were sent for service.
Condition wise the dial is in overall excellent condition except for a section at the base of the dial (mainly hidden from view) which shows age related marks. The rest of the watch remains in good shape with a case that has not been overpolished, a fully serviced calibre1560 movement and a period Rolex Jubilee bracelet ref.6251H from circa 1968.
All in all this is a lovely vintage Datejust and one that we're confident will get a significant about of wrist time with its new owner!
