172 Rolex A historically significant and rare, Datejust, automatic wristwatch in steel, former property of Major Nigel Roy Mitton Petrie, with guarantee, reference 1603.

Estimate: € 10.000 –⁠ 20.000

While Rolex has never been short of icons, the Datejust holds a special place in the pantheon of the brand’s most enduring designs. Introduced in 1945, it was the world’s first self-winding wristwatch to feature a date window that changed automatically at midnight — a detail now taken for granted, but at the time, revolutionary. What followed was decades of refinement, material experimentation, and design evolution that established the Datejust as the archetypal Rolex wristwatch. This particular example, a reference 1603, offers a twist on the familiar. Housed in a stainless steel case with smooth bezel, it embodies utilitarian elegance. The dial features a rare and desirable configuration — luminous dots paired with Arabic numerals — a layout that hints at military sensibilities while remaining unmistakably civilian. Accompanying the watch is a complete set of accessories including its original box, guarantee and delivery packaging still intact. The first owner, Major Nigel Roy Mitton Petrie, served with distinction in The Light Infantry. His military career spanned postings in Gibraltar, Aden, and Northern Ireland, and he was recognized in the 1980 New Year Honours for his service. This Datejust was a companion to a life of duty, discipline, and travel — a true tool of time worn by a man of action. With full provenance, this is not only a fine example of one of Rolex’s most historic models, but a tangible fragment of post-war military and horological history.

Condition Report

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