Mystery "Sigma Dial"

[joeylim]

Hi guys,


So as you all know, Sigma dials are a special little detail that can really raise the price of the watch. For those who aren't too familiar, Sigma dials are special dials that have the greek sigma symbol on both sides of the "T Swiss T" mark. This signifies that the indexes are made out of gold(Hands, Markers, Logo.) It's been known to have appeared in the early 70s and on numerous models, but there isn't much of a trend to say which ones had and which ones did not. That being said, I was curious because my 1501 Oysterdate from 1977 does not fall into any category quite frankly. I have seen only a couple(5-6) black dial 1501's during my pursuit to buy one, but all of them fell into either of the category: Black dial with silver index, Black dial with gold index.

For instance:
1. http://www.manoftheworld.com/product...ust-sigma-dial this example looks exactly like mine but only with the sigma markings on the bottom.
2.http://www.chrono24.ae/rolex/datejust--id4171743.htm this example is even closer to my 1501(Same year). But once again it has the sigma markings on the bottom.
3.http://alexpig.com/products/1968-rol...dial-and-paper Here's the curveball, this one looks identical to my 1501, without the sigma markings. But I'm not sure how valid this example is when sigma dials are noted to appear sometime during the early 70's, not the late 60's.

Other 1501's with black dial with silver index are not as relevant in explaining this situation(They have varying hand designs, different bracelets, etc.)

So the natural conclusion I've reached is, why would Rolex release a watch identical in specs one with the sigma marking and one without? Has anyone else heard of any other cases like this before?

Let me know, I'd love to hear to some other ideas too.
Thanks.

[bieb1]

Interesting subject. There is a view that Rolex started using the sigma mark to compete with other brands that used an "o" to indicate solid gold dials (f.e. Omega, with "o" indicating "or" = French for Gold). Rolex had always used gold markers without specifying this on the dial and were concerned that consumers did not know, especially when other brands started making gold a special reference on the dial. But the Rolex dials are not solid gold, so using an "o" would have been difficult if only the markers were gold. Perhaps a reason to use the sigma symbol instead? Just my view, not an expert opinion!

[joeylim]

Originally Posted by bieb1

Interesting subject. There is a view that Rolex started using the sigma mark to compete with other brands that used an "o" to indicate solid gold dials (f.e. Omega, with "o" indicating "or" = French for Gold). Rolex had always used gold markers without specifying this on the dial and were concerned that consumers did not know, especially when other brands started making gold a special reference on the dial. But the Rolex dials are not solid gold, so using an "o" would have been difficult if only the markers were gold. Perhaps a reason to use the sigma symbol instead? Just my view, not an expert opinion!

Thanks for the reply, and if your point was factually correct it only proves my point further! If Rolex was truly concerned that consumers would not notice the gold index, why would they not have marked my 1501 with the sigma logo? Very odd of them.

[bieb1]

Not sure what your question is, but when you are refering to "silver", these are white gold.

If your dial does not have the sigma, it could have been an earlier version or a later service replacement.

[joeylim]

Originally Posted by bieb1

Not sure what your question is, but when you are refering to "silver", these are white gold.

If your dial does not have the sigma, it could have been an earlier version or a later service replacement.

I was using "silver" to refer to the hands/markers. I am not sure if they are white gold, but that's besides the point. My question was why would Rolex not stamp the Sigma mark if it is the exact same specifications as other Sigma dial 1501's? Especially considering that they did not make many Black dial/Gold index 1501's. And I am positive that this is not an early model/replacement. Made in 1977, and kept as is from Geneva till today.