First introduced in 1945 to commemorate Rolex’s 40th anniversary, the Datejust is one of the brand’s oldest collections still in production today. The original Datejust featured a 36mm case and was the world’s first self-winding wristwatch with a date display that automatically changed at midnight. While this functionality may seem commonplace today, it was the Datejust that established the standard for how a date complication should function on a wristwatch.

At hand is a 2001 specimen featuring a lovely no-lug-holes case and a beautifully finished steel engine-turned bezel.

The dial is a beautiful silver soleil-finished version, with no lume, applied Roman numerals and a fine railroad-track minute scale, complemented by matching non-luminous hands. The Oyster bracelet, ref. 78360, is in excellent condition, with 558B end links and a clasp stamped DT8.

The watch comes complete with its four Rolex booklets, a red hang tag and its punched Chronometer paper, documenting a sale in Singapore in 2005.

One of those Datejusts that simply gets everything right. If this one speaks to you, you know what to do!

Specifications:

Rolex Reference 16220 Datejust
36mm Steel case with engine turned bezel, no lug holes
Serial K97xxxx dating to 2001
Silver soleil finish dial with Roman numerals, no lume and black text
Oyster bracelet ref 78360 with end links 558B
Rolex booklets , hang tag and punched chronometer paper stating a sale in 2005
Quick setting movement
Fully serviced by our watchmaker
One-year mechanical warranty
Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping

Rolex Datejust 16220 Silver Roman Dial with Original Papers

Rolex Datejust 16220 Silver Roman Dial with Original Papers

Before/after