Rolex Datejust 116233
Found 1 images across 2 slots for 116233
Reference:116233
Datejust → 116233
The 116233 is a 36 mm Datejust in steel and 18k yellow gold, a combination Rolex calls Yellow Rolesor. It has a fluted gold bezel and Cal. 3135. Rolex listed Jubilee and Oyster bracelet options in 2011. Published records date examples from 2005 through circa 2017; the exact production span remains uncertain.
Core facts
| detail | value |
|---|---|
| reference | 116233 |
| family | Datejust 36 |
| documented dates | Examples dated 2005 through circa 2017; exact factory endpoints unknown |
| case | 36 mm per Rolex's 2011 list; stainless steel with 18k yellow-gold fluted bezel |
| crystal | Sapphire per Rolex's 2011 list |
| movement | Cal. 3135; Rolex's 2011 list specifies a 31-jewel chronometer movement |
| bracelet | Jubilee 63603 or Oyster 72603 listed by Rolex in 2011 and 2015; Antiquorum records B 63203 on one 2005 watch |
| documented dial options | Diamond-set, Jubilee-pattern, mother-of-pearl Roman, mother-of-pearl diamond, onyx Arabic with two diamonds, and Waves Arabic with 32 diamonds in Rolex's 2011 list |
Where it sits in the line
The 116233 is the six-digit Yellow Rolesor Datejust 36. Rolex's 2011 list separates it from the smooth-bezel 116203, the diamond-set 116243, and the 41 mm Datejust II 116333. A TimeZone owner writing in 2005 described a 116233 with a solid-end-link Jubilee and concealed clasp.
Production outline
Antiquorum dates one watch as made and sold in 2005. Christie's dates a silver-dial example circa 2007; Rolex lists the reference in 2011 and 2015; Sotheby's dates examples circa 2009 and circa 2017. Together, these records document the reference across that period without fixing its factory start or end.
Movement notes
Rolex's 2011 list specifies a 31-jewel chronometer movement. Antiquorum, Christie's and Sotheby's identify Cal. 3135 in exact-reference examples.
Dial map
Rolex's 2011 list names several options: diamond-set markers, a dial it calls “Jubilee,” mother-of-pearl with Roman numerals, mother-of-pearl with diamonds, onyx Arabic with two diamonds, and a Waves Arabic dial with 32 diamonds. “Jubilee” here describes the dial pattern, not the bracelet.
Auction records document blue, champagne and silver dials. Christie's Oman-commissioned example has a brushed champagne dial with diamond-set square numerals. Collectors disagree about pyramid and textured-dial variants. A 2020 Rolex Forums thread includes an owner's report of a 2017-dated pyramid-dial watch; a 2016 thread debates whether a textured dial carried over from 16233. Neither pattern appears in Rolex's 2011 list, and the forum reports remain unverified leads.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes
Rolex lists a 36 mm steel case, fluted 18k yellow-gold bezel and sapphire crystal. Christie's calls the crown screw-down on its Oman-commissioned example. Sotheby's catalogues one circa-2017 watch at 37 mm, while Rolex gives 36 mm for the model; the measurement method is unstated.
Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes
Rolex's 2011 and 2015 lists pair the 116233 with Jubilee 63603 or Oyster 72603 bracelets. The 2015 list describes the Jubilee as a 20 mm, 24-link steel-and-yellow-gold bracelet with Crownclasp; the Oyster is 20 mm with 13 links. Antiquorum records a 2005 watch with Jubilee B 63203 and a concealed folding clasp. The catalogues document available configurations, while auction lots record the bracelets found on individual watches.
Boxes, booklets, tags and guarantees appear with several auction examples. They document those watches.
Special branches
Christie's records one circa-2014 watch made for the Sultanate of Oman. Its caseback bears the Khanjar, its champagne dial has diamond-set square numerals, and its guarantee was stamped by Omani retailer Khimji Ramdas. This commission documents a special execution; assess other dial and caseback combinations individually.
Sotheby's circa-2017 catalogue also notes a caseback engraved “Schlumberger.”
Auction record
| record | catalogue details | note |
|---|---|---|
| Antiquorum, New York, 2010, lot 59 | Made and sold in 2005; case D 069814; Jubilee B 63203; box, warranty, tags and booklet | One dated example |
| Christie's Online | Circa 2007; silver dial; serial Z511273; guarantee card dated 2009 | Catalogue date and card date differ |
| Sotheby's, 2023, lot 206 | Circa 2009; blue dial; Cal. 3135/31 jewels; Jubilee bracelet; guarantee dated 20 March 2009 | One example |
| Christie's, 2014 | Circa-2014 Oman commission; champagne diamond-set dial; Khanjar caseback; Khimji Ramdas guarantee | Specially marked watch |
| Sotheby's, 2020, lot 131 | Circa 2017; champagne dial; Cal. 3135/31 jewels; Oyster bracelet; Schlumberger caseback engraving | Catalogue gives 37 mm; Rolex's 2011 specification is 36 mm |
Sources
- "Antiquorum, New York, 8 December 2010, lot 59 — Rolex ref. 116233", Antiquorum, 2010-12-08
- "Rolex USA price list, effective 10 May 2011, ref. 116233 entry", Rolex, 2011-05-10
- "Rolex Netherlands price list, February 2015, refs. 116233, 63603 and 72603", Rolex, 2015-02
- "Sotheby's, Fine Watches, 2023, lot 206 — Rolex ref. 116233", Sotheby's, 2023
- "Sotheby's, Watches Weekly, 2020, lot 131 — Rolex ref. 116233", Sotheby's, 2020
- "Christie's, Important Watches, 2014 — Rolex ref. 116233, Oman commission", Christie's, 2014
- "Christie's Online, Rolex ref. 116233, circa 2007, serial Z511273", Christie's
- "TimeZone, Rolex Datejust owner comparison, 23 August 2005", TimeZone, 2005-08-23
- "Rolex Forums, Datejust dial texture discussion, 6 August 2016", Rolex Forums participants, 2016-08-06
- "Rolex Forums, “Pyramid Dial - Datejust 116233,” 5 January 2020", Rolex Forums participants, 2020-01-05
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