2018 Rolex Datejust 36mm Blue Fluted Bezel 116234
Ref: 116234

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Rolex box and Rolex paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Rolex Jubilee bracelet with a folding concealed clasp. The watch is from August 2018 and is sold in worn, unpolished condition, however, it is in fantastic condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

The Watch

In 1905, German-born Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis set up a company in London that imported Swiss movements which were installed in British cases and sold to jewellers who put their names on the dials. Recognising the potential for their brand, Wilsdorf created the brand name Rolex in 1908. In 1910, a Rolex became the first wristwatch to carry the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, awarded by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland. Demand for Rolex watches rose swiftly, and British taxes on the Swiss movements Rolex used prompted Wilsdorf to move the business to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919. With production costs lowered, Wilsdorf quickly set out to solve the age-old problem of moisture and dust entering a watch case and damaging the movement. The Rolex watchmakers came up with a fully sealed watch case, which Wilsdorf named the Oyster, and released to an appreciative audience in 1926. In 1931, Rolex introduced the first automatic winding wristwatch, giving it the legendary name Oyster Perpetual. In 1945, they released the Datejust which was the first watch to have the date jump instantaneously at midnight. The 1950s saw a whole lot of releases such as the Air-King (1958), the Explorer (1953), the Submariner (1953), the GMT Master (1955), the Day-Date (1956), the electromagnetic field resistant Milgauss (1956), the Lady-Datejust (1957) and the first Deep Sea model (1960). Wilsdorf’s death in 1960, saw ownership of Rolex S.A. (a collection of sub-companies) passed to the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation which was founded by Wilsdorf in 1945, the mission of which is simply to sustain Rolex S.A. indefinitely. Rolex first introduced the Datejust in 1945 to commemorate the company’s 40th anniversary. The Rolex Datejust first made its appearance as the reference 4467, and upon its initial release, it was only available in solid 18k yellow gold. It wasn’t until the 1950s, with the introduction of the reference 5030 and reference 5031 Datejust, that stainless steel and Rolesor (two-tone) versions became available, and the “Datejust” name started to appear on the dial.

This 2018 Rolex Datejust Fluted Bezel 116234 has a 36mm stainless steel Oyster case. Its slim profile and 44mm lug to lug length provide a comfortable fit on the wrist due to the gently curved lugs. On the right side, is a large signed crown that makes adjustments a breeze. Polished and brushed surfaces transition with crisp edges. A White Gold fluted bezel holds a slightly raised bevelled edge flat sapphire crystal. The sunray blue dial captures the light beautifully as you rotate your wrist. An outer minute track with small Roman numerals marks the hours. Just below sit applied Silver baton indexes that are lume infilled. Elegant baton hands have lume infill, along with a sweeping seconds hand. At 3 o’clock a date window with a cyclops magnification on the sapphire crystal. On the reverse, a coin-edged screw-down case back. Inside an Automatic Rolex calibre 3135, 31 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour COSC Certified high precision movement. Fitted on its original 20mm Rolex Jubilee bracelet with a Rolex folding concealed clasp and also comes with its Rolex presentation box and papers.

Personal Note

This for me is quintessential Rolex Datejust, 36mm will always be my preferred size and I just think it looks most at home on every size wrist! Yes, some of you have far bigger wrists and feel the bigger size suits you better, though I will say give this a few days on your wrist and your mind will be changed. This reference in blue will remain my favourite too, pops beautifully against the fluted bezel and the jubilee bracelet, easily the best configuration.