Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 2003 Reference No: 16200 stamped 2080 inside the case back Movement No: 30'130'170 Case No: F266'639 Model Name: Datejust Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee, reference 62510H, end links stamped 555B, max length 200mm. Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee confirming the sale of the present watch in April 2011 and fitted presentation box
Catalogue Essay
Rolex introduced the famous Datejust to the market in 1945, and it was the brand’s first wristwatch to display the date. Rolex experimented with different hard-stone dials, to further enhance the Datejust’s beauty.
The present example is a wonderful representation of the beloved Datejust, fitted with a gorgeous lapis lazuli dial. As the manufacturing process is extremely difficult due to the delicate nature of the hard stones, a significant number of the dials are ultimately unusable as they can easily break. It is especially rare to find a steel Datejust combined with the hard stone dial, and are extremely desirable amongst collectors. The overall state of preservation of the present reference 16200 is rare to find, with the spectacular dial and sharp definition in the case, lugs, bezel and bracelet, still retaining the green Rolex sticker on the caseback, making this an attractive addition to any collection.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.