Rolex
DateJust 36 Stainless Steel 16030

Our Opinion

"Here is a classic example of an early 1980s Rolex Datejust, with its bold and angular applied hour markers in white gold and painted black edge features. The stainless steel case is set with an engine turned bezel which was known for the intricacy in its manufacturing, getting all the concentric lines exactly equal in size and distance. It features a different look to fluted bezel with its slightly industrial texture.

The crisp white dial is offset beautifully by the slightly discolouration of lume spots beyond the hour markers. This discolouration matches the hands and shows the age of the watch. This degradation would be down to sunlight exposure, showing that this watch has been worn by a careful owner for much of its life.

This Rolex Datejust reference 16030 comes on a steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet with 555 end links, all in relatively good condition for their age. The pinhole case shows very signs of wear and tear around the case edges and lugs.

The case back is stamped 16000 and the movement is a Rolex in-house calibre 3035 with quick set date and hacking. The serial number 6667086 dates to 1981. The watch comes in a Xupes presentation box."

Jacob Tomkins is founder and publisher of Twelve: Watch Buyer’s Journal. He is dedicated to horological content and collectors knowledge with a particular interest in rare and unusual timepieces. He has gathered valuable and substantial collecting knowledge over a career-long passion and fascination with the mechanics and variations in watchmaking.