Rolex Datejust 1601/9 'Onyx'

At first glance, it looks familiar. A classic 36 mm Datejust. Fluted bezel. Jubilee bracelet. And then that dial. Fully black Onyx, completely free of markers.

But it is the combination that makes it special. This is not steel. This is a white gold Datejust reference 1601/9 fitted with an Onyx dial.

Unusual combination 
In the 36 mm category, precious metal traditionally meant one thing: the Day-Date. The Datejust, by contrast, was positioned as the accessible everyday Rolex. An entry-level luxury watch for the successful professional. Most examples were delivered in steel, some in yellow gold.

That is precisely what makes this configuration so unusual. White gold Datejusts were produced in very small numbers. Visually, white gold resembles steel, understated and almost anonymous, yet it carried a significantly higher price tag. Choosing a precious metal that looked nearly identical to the entry-level version, and pairing it with an Onyx dial, creates a highly unlikely combination. 

Onyx
Rolex Onyx dials are a chapter of their own. Cut from natural stone, jet black, completely free of hour markers. Just depth.

At Collectors Gallery Dubai, we have handled many Onyx dials over the years, mostly in yellow gold Day-Dates and Datejusts. In white gold, however, the effect shifts. The white coronet, white date aperture frame, and white printing against the black stone create a sharper, cooler aesthetic.

Very few examples were ever fitted with an Onyx dial. We are likely speaking of a handful worldwide. That rarity explains why these command multiples of their yellow gold counterparts. Not because they are louder, but because they are harder to find.

Condition
The dial remains original and correct to the watch. There are small imperfections in the text and light signs caused by previous storage when the dial was temporarily removed by a former owner. Under normal viewing conditions, beneath the plexiglass and without magnification, these are not visible to the naked eye. They are mentioned because we value transparency.

The case is strong, with thick lugs and clearly visible hallmarks on the underside, confirming the white gold construction. The Jubilee bracelet with fold-over clasp remains in very good condition, and the original closed handset and white gold Twinlock crown are still present.

Imagine the year 1977. Tailoring was sharp, cars were large, and gold was everywhere. The expected choice would have been yellow gold. Instead, someone chose to pay a serious premium for a white gold Datejust that looked almost anonymous. Choosing Onyx removed even the comfort of hour markers. Exactly that improbability is the point.