241 Rolex An historically important and highly collectible, Datejust, automatic wristwatch in steel, former property of Ernesto Guevara March, son of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Accompanied by history of previous services, pictures, documentation and letter hand written by Ernesto Guevara March. reference 1601.

Estimate: € 10.000 –⁠ 20.000

• Model Datejust
• Year 1972
• Reference 1601
• Case Material Stainless steel
• Case Number 3'042'056
• Bracelet Material Stainless steel Rolex bracelet, approximate length 200mm
• Movement Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
• Dimension 36mm Diameter
• Signed Case, dial and movement
• Accessories Accompanied by history of previous services, pictures, documentation and letter hand written by Ernesto Guevara March.

Certain watches tell the time; others carry within them the quiet weight of history. The present Rolex Datejust reference 1601 in steel, produced in 1972, is a quintessential expression of the model’s enduring design: a 36 mm Oyster case, fluted white-gold bezel, and silver dial with baton indexes and Cyclops date. Yet what sets this example apart is not merely its aesthetic harmony, but the remarkable personal history to which it is intimately connected.
This watch was the personal property of Ernesto Guevara March, son of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and was gifted to him by his mother, Aleida March, one of the most influential and iconic female figures of the Cuban Revolution. Far from a symbolic role, she was an active participant, serving as a courier and operative within the July 26 Movement, later becoming Che Guevara’s wife following the Revolution in 1959.
During the guerrilla campaign in the Sierra Maestra, she met Che Guevara, and their shared political commitment forged both a partnership and a marriage in 1959. In a movement often narrated through its male protagonists, Aleida March stood as one of its most respected female leaders.
Within this powerful historical context, the watch becomes far more than an object. It was worn for many years by Ernesto Guevara March before being sold to support personal projects.
Preserved in attractive condition, it is accompanied by documentation of previous services at Rolex Cuba, a handwritten letter from Ernesto Guevara March confirming its sale, and photographs depicting him wearing the watch. In this instance, the watch transcends its function, becoming a tangible witness to history.