A lovely example of the Rolex Datejust 1603 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 Rolex Datejust reference 1603 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 of interest to an already beautiful watch. The sigma reference points to what appears to read O T Swiss T O but in fact reads σ T Swiss T σ.
"σ" is the lowercase Greek letter for "Sigma", the mark used by a group of Swiss watchmakers in the 1970's who were part of the L’Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or 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 1960's that 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 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 over polished, a fully serviced calibre 1560 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!
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