CWR1601-069 was crafted from a Rolex Ref. 1601 Datejust in eighteen karat yellow gold, circa 1963. We reimagined this humble Datejust as the world’s only gold Rolex Explorer Ref. 6610.

The idea for Project GOLD came from the owner of a Zaratsu-finished, Cloister Mirror Treatment Rolex Ref. 6610, who posed the question of what that early Explorer would have been, in period, in gold. To execute against this design challenge, this watch’s owner provided an eighteen karat yellow gold Rolex Ref. 1601 to Cloister to be reimagined. We began by filling the date window and using an anachronistic wax-resist to create an authentic gilt gloss dial. We took inspiration from the Rolex Explorer Ref. 6610’s text convention & minute track, but elevated the watch’s design by replacing the luminous painted numerals with bespoke, applied yellow gold arabic numbers at three, six & nine, along with triangular claves sourced from a LeCoultre Futurematic for the other hour markers.

In parallel, we fully restored the watch’s case, sourced a period-correct Ref. 1600 smooth bezel to replace the fluted bezel original to the watch, and sourced a period-correct 20mm Rolex rivet bracelet, which we restored and converted into a “stretch-rivet” bracelet to mirror that fitted to the client’s steel Explorer. After the watch was overhauled and assembled, we completed this project with a custom-designed, engraved monogram for the watch’s new owner, and delivered the watch with a pair of bespoke, waterproof suede straps (not pictured) fitted with OEM Rolex tang buckles.