Vintage 1965 Rolex Lady Datejust 6517 18K YG Brown Havana Buckley Dial Auto 26mm

1965 Rolex Lady Datejust 6917 - Integrated 18K YG Golden Brown "Havana" Buckley Dial

Name: 1965 Rolex Lady Datejust 6917 - Integrated 18K YG Golden Brown "Havana" Buckley Dial
Brand: Rolex
SKU: 10078
Price: 18500.00 USD
Availability: InStock

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Details

Why This Watch Matters

What distinguishes this 1965 Lady-Datejust is not its size or age, but its configuration. The integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet is paired with a golden brown Buckley dial, that is reminiscent of a cigar wrapper, hence the "Havana" Nickname. Many examples were separated from their original bracelets over time. Here, the case, dial, and bracelet remain together as intended, giving the watch a sense of completeness that is increasingly difficult to find.

What Makes It Special

The integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet is central to the watch’s character. Period bracelets often develop significant stretch and lose their original shape. This example remains tight, preserving both its presence and wearability. The golden brown Buckley dial completes the tone-on-tone design. Rather than relying on contrast or novelty, the watch draws its appeal from material, proportion, and a cohesive execution that has aged exceptionally well.

Condition and Wearability

The watch is in overall good condition. Its bracelet remains tight. The case appears unpolished, with age-appropriate wear. The buckle also displays minor wear consistent with the watch’s age. The dial is in good condition, and the crystal is clean with no visible scratches. The automatic movement is running well.

Why It Still Works

This is a Datejust for collectors who appreciate details rather than trends. Its appeal comes from the goldwork, balanced proportions, and integrity of the original configuration. It works equally well as a daily vintage watch or as a collector piece that remains easy to wear. Complete, coherent, and increasingly difficult to replace, this is a particularly compelling example of the mid-century Lady-Datejust.

Key Specs

Reference: 6517

Model: Lady-Datejust "Havana" Buckley

Year: 1965

Movement: Automatic

Case Size: 26mm

Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold

Bracelet: Integrated 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet

Dial: Golden Brown Buckley Dial

Wrist Size: Fits 5.75–6.35 inches

SKU: 78

History

Introduced in 1945 to mark Rolex's 40th anniversary, the Datejust was the first self-winding, waterproof wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o'clock. The name said everything: the date, just there, automatically.

The watch debuted alongside the Jubilee bracelet — a five-piece link design created specifically for the occasion and still one of the most copied bracelet patterns in watchmaking. Later iterations added the iconic cyclops lens, magnifying the date 2.5x directly above the aperture, a detail so practical it became a Rolex signature.

Over the decades the Datejust evolved through generations of references — from the early 1600-series with engine-turned bezels to the 1603 in yellow gold, the 16013 and 16030 two-tones of the 1980s, the 16233 and 116233 of the 1990s and 2000s — yet the core proposition never changed: a 36mm case, an automatic movement, and a date that flips at midnight.

It's the Swiss watch equivalent of a white oxford shirt. Timeless in steel, versatile in two-tone, proper in solid gold. Collectors prize the earlier sigma-dial examples for their textural richness; later smooth-dialed pieces wear as effortlessly today as they did the day they left Geneva. Few references have ever achieved this level of consistency across six decades of production.

Danny's Vintage Watches Guarantee

At Danny's Vintage Watches, we rigorously authenticate and inspect every watch to guarantee both its authenticity and exceptional quality. Your complete satisfaction is our utmost priority. We are dedicated to guiding you to the ideal timepiece that meets your desires. Should you have any inquiries, our team is ready to provide swift and comprehensive assistance.

Our Guarantee:

Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.

Questions?

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Dan Young

4 months ago

I knew I was gonna like Danny, based on his name, but nothing could’ve prepared me for how great of an experience this was. He had the most beautiful 70s Seamaster Cosmic on his website and I was set to be married 2 days later - I arranged to buy it but before leaving we both realized it needed to be serviced. I panicked, because I was literally buying this for my wedding, and Danny being the legend he is, loaned me a nearly identical Seamaster to make sure I could get through the event Never have I had someone go so above and beyond for me, especially while purchasing one of the lesser priced items in their inventory. He serviced my watch and exchanged it with me after the wedding on a super fast turnaround timeline. I would sincerely recommend you visit this guy, you will not be disappointed Edit: adding a pic of the loaner (two tone) and the owner (crosshair)

Patrick Farella

5 months ago

Great service and shop. Danny and his team were incredibly accommodating, professional, and kind. Great selection of vintage watches. Their store is the hidden gem in the diamond district.

Zee06

2 months ago

This was my first real luxury watch purchase, a Rolex 15200 Date 34mm, I own Tissots and a Laco, but those are entry level luxury watches. I found Danny’s Vintage Watches online, and had great feedback both on Google, Chrono24 and the Reddit watch community. So decided to give him a shot as buying online can be a crap shoot. Ordered Monday night, was at my doorstep Friday morning. Despite the watch being over 30 years old, serial number says it’s from 91, the watch looked new. Didn’t come with box or papers, and was shipped in a plastic sleeve wrapped in bubble wrap. Danny was always available to answer questions. I’ll be buying from Danny again for the next purchase…saw a couple of Speedmasters on his site I liked….

Mohammed Islam

4 months ago

Can't recommend Danny's vintage watches enough!!! My first Omega ever and im in love have been wearing every day since I purchased it. Danny's shop is a must visit if you are in NYC looking for a watch!!!

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