An automatic stainless steel and eighteen carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16238 model. This example has a very special, and a very rare black 'onyx' dial that featured in only two Rolex models; The Day Date and this the Datejust. It may look like a normal glossy dial, but it is not. This is an actual piece of cut of stone featuring solid gold applied six and nice in Arabic numerals and set with a princess cut diamond into the centers. These dials were all made by Rolex at the beginning of the 1990's for a few years of production, in very limited numbers. The dial is no longer in production, and making this a very rare and collectible dial!
This is known as a non-luminous dial, with the correct, original, non-luminous filled, all eighteen carat gold baton hands. These hands do not have the holes in for filling with the luminous material. There is also no applied Tritium luminous plots on the hour markers on the dial. The dial confirms this by being stamped "Swiss Made", and not the "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,505,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 solid eighteen carat gold jubilee bracelet is very tight with the hidden deployant buckle showing ver little wear. 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. If the desire is there for something subtle, but beautiful, this watch very much ticks the boxes. These dials. 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 with a Rolex service card, and in almost new condition.
The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty against mechanical. failure.
