Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2001 Reference No: 16238 Movement No: 9’326’831 Case No: K960’776 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Hotta Corporation Japan dated 7th December 2008, instruction manual, 2001-2002 calendar card, green notebook, green card holder, hang tag, caseback sticker, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex guarantee has been changed and upgraded over the course of its history, with early examples featuring a punched guarantee in paper format featured in various dimensions. Rolex guarantee features a three-digit code signifying its country of origin and issuance as well as a punched serial number matching the case number of the timepiece. Furthermore, it is usually stamped by the authorized retailer at the time of its sale with a date of sale and sometimes also featuring the owner's name. However, in 2006, Rolex disregarded the use of paper guarantees and opted for a new guarantee card, sized to the dimension of a credit card. The new guarantee card consists of the following information:
1. Three-digit country code 2. Reference number 3. Serial number 4. Model 5. Name and Address of Official Rolex distributor 6. Name and Address of Buyer 7. Date of Sale
The present Rolex Datejust ref. 16238 from circa 2001 with a Lapis Lazuli dial embraces an unusual feature. With a matching and corresponding serial number of the watch printed on a Rolex guarantee card, the date of sale indicates 7th December 2008. With a correct country code "410" indicating it as a watch distributed by a Japanese authorized distributor of Rolex, the retailer most likely requested for a new guarantee card replacing its old paper format when the watch was sold 7 years after the production of the present timepiece.
Offered in excellent overall condition, the present Rolex Datejust ref. 16238 with a lapis lazuli dial set with diamond indexes is complete with its original guarantee and presentation box.
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.
Ref. 16238 A fine and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, date, lapis lazuli dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 2001 36mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
