Which one?
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Dana
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Kuwait
Member since
Last active: 2 weeks ago
5.91” / 15.00 cm
I own a 1971 DJ 1601 with linen pie pan dial. I’ve had it since new. Great workhouse of a watch and over the years it has performed absolutely flawlessly. Classic design which never goes out of style. Drawbacks including no hacking function, acrylic not sapphire crystal, no quick date change and bracelets that tend to stretch. Of these, none have presented problems for me except the stretch issue but I had that repaired at Rolliworks. I believe by the late 70s many of these perceived drawbacks were corrected. I would imagine the movements would have at least been modified. I’d look for differences in case condition, when they were last serviced and which is most complete and how much polishing they’ve sustained before choosing one over the other.
I own a 1971 DJ 1601 with linen pie pan dial. I’ve had it since new. Great workhouse of a watch and over the years it has performed absolutely flawlessly. Classic design which never goes out of style. Drawbacks including no hacking function, acrylic not sapphire crystal, no quick date change and bracelets that tend to stretch. Of these, none have presented problems for me except the stretch issue but I had that repaired at Rolliworks. I believe by the late 70s many of these perceived drawbacks were corrected. I would imagine the movements would have at least been modified. I’d look for differences in case condition, when they were last serviced and which is most complete and how much polishing they’ve sustained before choosing one over the other.
Amazing info! Thanks for letting me know :)
I don’t know much about vintage Rolex’s, but the 16014 looks a bit nicer for me 🤷🏼♂️
I don't know and haven't bothered to look TBH but IMO Rolex have only made improvements to the DateJust so the newer the better would be my policy.
I think both of them are great and very much similar on the comparison. I would decide for the one that is in a better condition. Maybe service? Papers? Location of first buy? Amazing dials.
Had a 1601 once.... as I wear my watches in rotation not having a quick date set turned out to be annoying often....
No brainer for me! 77 is the year LFC won their first European cup!
I prefer the dial of the 1601, but due to not having a quickset date function I would go for the five digit. It’s such an unbelievable pain in the hole to reset the date of those and god forbid you’re not paying attention and accidentally overshoot and have to cycle through the whole thing
If I had to choose I would go with the 16014. I bought a 1603 first and eventually a 16013, from first hand experience the non quickset date function on the four digit sub really bothered me!
Similar to what another user said above me, I also like to wear my watches in rotation and not being able to quickly adjust the date on the 1603 makes me always lean towards the 16013.
I love Rolex linen dials. Both are gorgeous, there's so little in it.
There’s just something about these vintage Rolex’s that is just beautiful! Either or these would be a stellar choice. 👊
Can’t go wrong with either. I am no Rolex vintage buff, however I think the 1977 would maybe have a better movement? Just a thought