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Rolex Datejust Ref. 16030 - Blue 'Buckley' Dial

SOLD

Hard to believe - but the Datejust has been around since 1945. It is far older than its bigger and attention-hogging Submariner brethren. The Datejust was Rolex’s idea of the perfect everyday watch. The robustness of the Oyster case, combined with the elegance of an Oyster Perpetual. The 4-Digit Datejusts was the first series to become available with a myriad of dial colors and case and bracelet materials — something that has stuck with the Datejust name ever since. What the 4-digits watches do lack, is a quickset date — something that was resolved with the introduction of the 5-digit pieces in the late 1970s.

The piece that we have here, a Reference 16030 from circa 1981, comes to us with an honest case showing signs of a light previous polishing, retaining even, symmetrical lugs and shows only light signs of wear throughout. The steel 'engine-turned' bezel is in excellent, crisp condition showing matching wear. The real treat here is the blue 'Buckley' dial within... The indices are printed in a crisp, contrasting white and are complimented by a white-painted handset. There is some very light wear around the center post as well as some edge wear at the 3 o'clock position, and is otherwise in fantastic condition with deeply patinated and fully-intact Tritium plots. The Tritium within the handset matches nicely. 

This piece comes fitted to a correct solid-link Jubilee bracelet with a signed blade clasp, both showing a light previous polish and show consistent wear with the case.

'Buckleys' are very much a love-it-or-hate-it sort of thing, but we're huge fans and these blue-dial examples are amongst our favorites.

Stainless Steel 1981 Automatic 36mm

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."

"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."

From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.

Oliver & Clarke