The DateJust began its life in 1945 with the introduction of ref. 4467,5030,5031,5075,6031 using the bubbleback movements. The Datejust series then evole to 6075,6074, 6104, 6015 using the semin bubbleback movements. Rolex's cal. A.295 (and later the upgraded A.296) was manufactured between 1945 and 1956. By the time it launched ref 6304 and 6305, came the improved cal. 1065 and with it the DateJust 6604 and 6605.
The Rolex Big bubbleback series leading to the Datejust consists of the following
Rolex ref 4467 (solid Gold from year 1945-1949)
Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold) , Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 (from year 1949 - 1950)，
Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)
Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953)
Rolex 6304 , 6305, 6309(Pre ThunderBird) (A296，from year 1953 - 1956)
Rolex Datejust 6604, 6605, 6609(Thunderbird), 1600, 1601,1603, 1607, 1625 (Thunderbird) (from 1959 - 1977 onwards using Butterfly movement calibre generation features cal. 1065 and later cal. 1565 and 1575.)
Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold) , Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 (from year 1949 - 1950)，
Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)
Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953)
Rolex 6304 , 6305, 6309(Pre ThunderBird) (A296，from year 1953 - 1956)
Rolex Datejust 6604, 6605, 6609(Thunderbird), 1600, 1601,1603, 1607, 1625 (Thunderbird) (from 1959 - 1977 onwards using Butterfly movement calibre generation features cal. 1065 and later cal. 1565 and 1575.)
This 6604/5 was manufactured for only three years between 1956 and 1958 at which point it was replaced by the 160x series with the 1565/1575 movement. Given the short time frame that the 6604/5 was made, it is hard to argue that this reference number is among the most rare DateJust models. The Rolex ref 6604 with a smooth bezel instead of the fluted bezel (6605) and the below watch comes with an aged gilt dial. I have traded one of my big bubbleback plus cash top up for this. The watch has a SWISS only dial using cal 1065.
I have tried to goggle to see if there is another 6604 with smooth bezel and found a few.
Both gilt dials watches from the 1950s
Collections of Datejust
Quite sometime back, I have predicted that the prices of the Datejust series will rise and continue to escalate owing to the 36mm size and very robust movement (often used in teh sports series as well). True enough, when one check the normal Rolex 1601 or 1603, the prices have already escalated especially for those special colouredcdial and precious solid gold watches, especially the rose gold series. Another reasons for the increase in watch prices is that the newly lauched Datejust watch prices are also very expensive now and making these vintage series a good value for money buy.
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