An automatic stainless steel and eighteen carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16233 model. This example has a very special, and a very rare white 'porcelain' dial that were featured in only two Rolex models; The Daytona Cosmograph and the Datejust. It may look like a normal glossy stick dial, but it is not. They have a lot more depth in them and are akin to a dinner plate in the way they are made. These dials were all made by Rolex around the end of the 1980's and into the very early 1990's. The dial is correct along with this black enamel filled hand set. They came with and without the applied Triutium luminous material. The dial is no longer in production, and is not available to order any more, making this a very rare and collectible dial!
This is known as a luminous dial, with the correct, original luminous filled, all eighteen carat gold baton hands. All of the applied Tritium luminous plots are present and in perfect condition heading the gold hour markers. The dial confirms this by being stamped "T Swiss T" below the six o'clock position.
The watch is powered by a Rolex, Swiss made, thirty-one jewel automatic calibre 3135 movement that powered the majority of all Rolex models since its launch in 1988, from the Datejust to the Submariner. These later models can be identified as they do not have the earlier, characteristic, 'pie pan' style dial. This model also comes with the more ergonomic 'Quick Set' date function, and the newly designed smaller profile case, all of which were introduced in the 1970's. This case has the spring bar holes exposed from the side, a 'holes' case, which was phased out around the mid to late 1990's.
The watch was made circa 1991 with serial number X,881,XXX. Now over thirty two years old, the watch is officially 'vintage'! The watch is in essentially "New Old Stock" original condition, unpolished, and superb throughout with perhaps only very light wear, if any. The original case back sticker is present on the rear case back with model number clear and present
The original eighteen carat gold and stainless steel jubilee bracelet is very tight with the deployant buckle showing no wear, also unpolished with a protective sticker on it. Not only is the watch presented in this condition, it is also a "full set". It has the plastic Rolex bezel protector, outer box, inner box and, most importantly, the original punched paperwork from Rolex. There are six removable links in place, which, if needed, can be removed to make the bracelet smaller.
These watches are exceptionally hard to find, let alone in this condition, and complete. If the desire is there for something subtle, but beautiful, this watch very much ticks the boxes. These dials, when found on stainless steel Daytona's from the period are now selling for over six figures. Very rare and quite special in the iconic Datejust case, this is a watch that will only become in greater demand as time passes! This offers the opportunity own one of the most beautiful Datejust models made by Rolex, complete, and in almost new condition.
The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty against mechanical failure.
