Vintage Rolex Datejust Or Recent Model?

I’ve already written about why I feel the Rolex Datejust is understated and under appreciated, and if you, like me, are quietly looking for Datejusts to use and enjoy, here is a simple guide. I’m going to split the choices into pre 1980 (vintage Rolex Datejust) and post 1980 - 2003 (recent) and ignore the 116234 and 116233 (to be covered later).

Vintage Rolex Datejust

Often bought as a birth year watch, a good vintage Rolex Datejust will look much newer than it is, and are popularly worn with a leather or nato strap, given the early jubilee bracelet’s tendency to stretch. Original dials add value and were often swapped at service. Avoid any weird customisation, Mickey Mouse looks great at Disneyland but less so on a classic Rolex. After set diamonds are also a no no. I’m strangely OK with a well repainted restored dial, as long as its clearly stated when sold and bought for enjoyment. (I’m a sucker for a cool leather strap matching a dial), but don’t pay any premium. Originality will hold its value over all else.

Recent Rolex Datejust

Whilst the 16220 and 16234 reference are virtually indistinguishable at first glance, the 16234 held a decent lift in price when new. Today, the price lift is minor, and of course you gain a white gold bezel. I’d look for originality and condition first.

I’d buy (have bought and do buy) Datejusts on this basis only, and look for a box and papers second. Its still quite easy to find a mint 1990s and early 2000s Rolex Datejust with a jubilee bracelet which is little used and without stretch as well as an unpolished case. We currently (at time of writing) have a 1991 16234 which retains the green sticker on the back. This one genuinely is one of the best Datejusts I have seen. Go for gold and steel (the bi-colour or two-tone) and there’s a generous adding of glamour which can bring retro cool to your look. All gold is a rare thing, and a good 16238 I’m tipping as a strong investment piece.

Vintage Rolex Christmas Gifts

Give the gift of vintage style with a Rolex. Vintage & Prestige always has a range of vintage Rolex watches for men and women in stainless steel,  steel and yellow gold or 18k yellow gold. Please call us with your requirements. We can also source watches for a particular year.

The watch:

Vintage Rolex available on vintageandprestige.com £POA

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.

Celebrate Christmas With A Rolex Air King

Born in 1989? Married in 1989? This Rolex Air-King is one of the last reference 5500s made and is collectible in its own right. The Rolex Air-King is possibly the only watch you will ever need, robust, understated and popular with men and women, as the 34mm case size is slightly smaller than a Datejust. If he or she has always wanted a Rolex, this is the one to buy this Christmas.

The watch:

Rolex Air-King in stainless steel, with stainless steel bracelet, automatic movement, from 1989 (L serial) in mint condition. £2495.

See also: Rolex Air-King Date, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Precision.

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

Vintage Rolex Christmas Gifts

Give the gift of vintage style with a Rolex. Vintage & Prestige always has a range of vintage Rolex watches for men and women in stainless steel,  steel and yellow gold or 18k yellow gold. Please call us with your requirements. We can also source watches for a particular year.

The watch:

Vintage Rolex available on www.vintageandprestige.com £POA

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.