ROLEX DATEJUST

Maker: Rolex
Model: Datejust
Reference: 16013
Year: 1986 sold in 1987
Serial: 9’3xx’xxx
Material: Gold / Stainless Steel (caseback still bearing its green sticker, bearly worn and unpolished)
Dial: Champagne Tritium dial where the plots and hands have aged to a beautiful beige
Dimensions: 36mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Clasp: Rolex Jubilee Bracelet Ref. 62523H with 455 End Links stamped K8 (Year 1986)
Box & Papers: Full Set with original invoice and even outer box

It was the summer of 1987 when the box was first opened — not with haste, but with reverence. Inside, nestled in cream suede, a Rolex Datejust Ref. 16013 shimmered like a secret well-kept. Sold that year yet born the one before, this was more than a watch; it was a declaration. A statement made in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, with the soft, warm luster of a champagne Tritium dial that, over time, has matured into the kind of gentle beige collectors now only dream of.

This isn't merely about patina. This is about presence.

The 36mm case, a perfect midpoint between elegance and assurance, remains unpolished — its edges sharp, its green caseback sticker still intact, whispering the kind of careful stewardship only a true connoisseur would recognize. Time hasn’t worn this piece down; it has watched over it, quietly adding character to its dial, aging the luminous plots and hands into warm earth tones that mirror late afternoon sunlight filtered through vintage Venetian blinds.

This Datejust, with its Jubilee bracelet (Ref. 62523H) and solid 455 end links stamped “K8,” belongs to an era when luxury didn’t shout — it nodded, slowly, across a table of mahogany and cut crystal.

And those who wore it? Icons of substance. Paul Newman, in moments not consumed by Daytona legend, was often seen with a Datejust peeking beneath a rolled-up cuff — understated and disarming. Martin Scorsese, never one to leave storytelling to the screen alone, favored his Datejust during the editing of Goodfellas, framing time with precision and flair. Then there was Ronald Reagan — an American president with a penchant for refined Americana — whose own two-tone Datejust became a subtle part of his presidential uniform, equal parts diplomacy and style.

The reference 16013 is the kind of watch that bridges generations. It carries the mechanical reliability of Rolex’s in-house automatic caliber with a sapphire crystal that still speaks to modern resilience. But its heart — its true soul — lies in the details: the warmth of the dial, the lived-in but barely-worn condition, the quiet dignity of a full set, complete with its original invoice and even the rare outer box.

Watches like this don’t simply measure hours; they capture eras. This one carries the essence of 1986 — a time of transition, of Wall Street ambition and European elegance, of the golden age of analog everything.

For the collector, the aesthete, the romantic — the Datejust 16013 is more than a timepiece. It’s the golden hour, frozen forever on your wrist.

The Morning Meeting – Sartorial Elegance in Motion

Outfit: A tailored charcoal flannel suit by Anderson & Sheppard, crisp white Thomas Mason shirt, dark brown Edward Green penny loafers, and a navy silk knit tie.
Occasion: A high-stakes meeting in the City or a first interview at a boutique design firm.

The 16013's 36mm case slides discreetly beneath a shirt cuff—an intentional nod to tradition. Yet the champagne dial glows softly under boardroom lighting, its patina a quiet testament to history and discernment. The Jubilee bracelet, delicate and articulate, contrasts the formality of the suit, adding a gentle note of sprezzatura. This isn’t the ostentatious shine of new gold; it’s the warm hue of earned confidence. Let the others wear watches. You wear legacy.

Afternoon Art Walk – Casual Refinement with a Story

Outfit: Cream denim trousers from Orslow, navy knit polo from Sunspel, suede Common Projects sneakers, and a tan Harrington jacket.
Occasion: A gallery hop across Marais or Shoreditch, followed by coffee and conversation.

Paired with casual staples, the Datejust becomes the anchor—its subtle luster elevating simplicity to sophistication. Against the textured softness of knitwear and suede, the aged tritium dial reads not like a status symbol, but a chapter in a longer narrative. As you gesture toward a canvas or raise your espresso, the glint of gold and steel says not “look at me,” but rather “this is me.” True personal style, after all, is never loud—it resonates.

Evening Jazz & Cocktails – Laid-Back Luxury at Dusk

Outfit: Midnight blue linen-blend trousers, open-collared ivory camp shirt, vintage brown leather belt, and Belgian loafers.
Occasion: An intimate cocktail soirée or late-night jazz lounge.

As the day yields to night, the Datejust finds its most romantic self. The warm glow of its dial picks up the amber tones of the bar’s lighting, while the green Rolex sticker—still intact after nearly four decades—whispers of a well-preserved secret. Let the others check their phones for the time; your glance to the wrist is a moment of style in itself. Unpolished, but poised. Familiar, but unique. Like the perfect jazz set, it’s not about complexity—it’s about feel.

A Final Note

To wear this Rolex Datejust is to understand restraint as elegance. With its full set provenance—original invoice, outer box, and that telltale green sticker still intact—it is as much a collector’s treasure as it is a wearable icon. Whether paired with soft tailoring, elevated casuals, or nighttime ease, it adapts without yielding. Much like the best-dressed individuals, it knows who it is—and so will you, the moment it graces your wrist.

The Rolex Datejust needs no introduction—its silhouette, proportions, and unmistakable cyclops eye have become shorthand for enduring sophistication. But every once in a while, a particular example rises above the rest. This 1986 Rolex Datejust, reference 16013, does precisely that—not merely because of its iconic status, but due to the near-pristine, character-rich condition in which it presents itself nearly four decades after it first left the showroom floor.

A Case of Remarkable Preservation
The stainless steel and 18k yellow gold case retains its factory geometry with unwavering clarity. Unpolished and sharp, it wears its age with quiet pride—proof of gentle ownership and careful stewardship. The yellow gold fluted bezel catches the light with the kind of brilliance only seen on untouched pieces, its edges still crisp and reflective. The original green Rolex caseback sticker remains intact—always a telltale sign of sparing use and a collector’s eye. At 36mm, this case size is a masterclass in balanced design: substantial enough to command presence, restrained enough to wear with discreet elegance.

A Dial Aged with Grace
The champagne tritium dial is where this watch truly sings. There’s a warmth to it now that only time could produce. The luminous plots have matured into a soft, creamy beige, echoing the hands’ matching tritium—a perfectly synchronized aging that suggests consistency in both wear and environment. The dial remains clean and free from spotting, allowing the champagne sunburst finish to shine through with subtle flair. It’s an organic kind of beauty—the sort that can’t be replicated, only earned.

Movement and Mechanics
Inside ticks the Rolex Caliber 3035, known for its robustness and reliability. Featuring the quickset date function introduced in the late 1970s, it offers a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience. The watch winds smoothly, the crown action firm and precise, a testament to Rolex’s engineering and the careful use this example has seen over the years.

A Bracelet to Complete the Story
The two-tone Jubilee bracelet (Ref. 62523H) with 455 end links and a clasp code stamped “K8” (indicating a matching 1986 production year) is tight and unstrained—a rarity among bracelets of this vintage. It wears comfortably on the wrist, draping with that signature Rolex suppleness while maintaining integrity in every link. The gold center links have acquired a subtle, mellow glow, complementing the case and dial with ease.

Box, Papers & Provenance
Completeness like this is a rarity. Accompanied by its full set, including the original box, outer packaging, chronometer certificate, and even the sales invoice from 1987, this Datejust offers not just a watch, but a story. It's a tangible connection to an era when Rolex still quietly refined rather than reinvented—when elegance was less about statement and more about permanence.

Final Thoughts
This 16013 is not a museum piece, nor is it a daily beater—it’s something more nuanced. It’s a watch that lives in the liminal space between pristine and patinated, between formality and familiarity. For the collector who understands that the soul of a Rolex isn’t just in its specifications, but in how it has lived, this Datejust is a rare and compelling find.

In terms of performance, the watch excels; it was tested for accuracy, demonstrating a seconds per day (s/d) deviation of 5, with an amplitude of 292—illustrative of its superb mechanical precision.

The price includes Swiss VAT of 8.1%, which can be directly deducted for export, and the shipping cost comes with full worldwide insurance. Please note that the customer will be responsible for paying any customs duties in their country.

If you desire a complete service, we can provide it at an additional cost, with a warranty of at least one year for precision and accuracy (not for waterproofness).