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166

Rolex

Ref. 16238

Datejust "Lapis Lazuli"

An extremely well-preserved and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with lapis lazuli dial, date, caseback sticker and bracelet

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Hardstone dials are undoubtedly one of Rolex's signature and most coveted dials in the current market. These dials not only offer a wide range of colors, textures, and visual appeal, their production is a challenging and meticulous process. Since natural hardstones have varying hardness and composition, it makes them fragile and very difficult to work with. It is believed that a significant portion of the material is wasted during the manufacturing process, resulting in dials that often differ in thickness compared to regular ones.

The present Rolex Datejust reference 16238 exemplifies one of the most sought-after hardstone dials of recent times: lapis lazuli. With its shimmering and attractive appearance, it harmoniously complements the iconic yellow gold case, and the diamond indexes at 6 and 9 o'clock add a touch of glamour and contrast against the surface.

The watch is preserved in extremely sharp and possibly unpolished condition, with the caseback sticker still intact. It is further accompanied by a period-correct yellow gold Jubilee bracelet, perfectly matching the overall aesthetic. With an extremely well-preserved case and a flawless dial, it is a highly desirable timepiece for discerning collectors.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905

Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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