From the desk
A classic Rolesor Datejust 36 combining Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold with a fluted bezel, champagne Roman dial, and Jubilee bracelet.
This is a used Rolex Datejust 36, reference 116233, in Rolesor — Rolex's own term for the combination of Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold. The 36mm Oyster case is paired with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel, a champagne dial carrying Roman numeral hour markers, and a two-tone Jubilee bracelet in matching steel and yellow gold. The piece is offered without box or papers.
Reference 116233 was produced from roughly 2000 through 2016–2017, when Rolex retired it in favour of the updated 126233. It sits in what collectors regard as the modern-classic era of the Datejust 36: Cal. 3135 movement, screw-down Triplock crown, 100-metre water resistance, and the same case architecture that defined the reference for decades. The 36mm diameter itself has gained meaningful collector traction in recent years, wearing well across a wide range of wrists and reading as a more considered statement than the larger Datejust 41 that followed. Used 116233 examples in Rolesor trade frequently and liquidity in this reference is strong.
The Rolesor two-tone format is one of Rolex's oldest design signatures, and the fluted yellow gold bezel on this reference is milled from solid 18k gold — not a plated or applied surface treatment. Paired with the champagne Roman numeral dial, the result is formal without excess. This dial-and-bezel configuration was among the most-ordered combinations available on the 116233 and remains one of the more liquid versions on the secondary market. The Roman numerals are applied and lacquered rather than printed, which holds up well over time under normal conditions.
The five-piece Jubilee bracelet debuted on the original 1945 Datejust and is inseparable from the reference's identity. On the 116233, alternating polished yellow gold center links run between brushed steel outer links, secured by a concealed folding Crownclasp. Pre-owned Jubilee bracelets warrant close inspection: individual link wear and stretch are common on heavily worn examples, and the micro-adjustment clasp can mask how much play has developed. A bracelet in solid, serviceable condition adds meaningfully to the total value of the watch; noticeable stretch may point toward link replacement or a full bracelet service.
The movement is the Cal. 3135, the self-winding calibre Rolex relied on across the Datejust family for roughly three decades before transitioning to the more recent Cal. 3235. It operates at 28,800 vph with approximately 48 hours of power reserve, and later production units incorporate Rolex's Parachrom hairspring. Under normal use, Rolex recommends service intervals of roughly five to ten years. Without accompanying papers, factory service records cannot be independently verified through standard documentation, which is the typical situation for pre-owned Rolesor Datejusts on the grey market.
The absence of box and papers is common for a reference of this production era and does not affect the watch's mechanical function or day-to-day collectibility for most buyers. It is a factor worth noting if eventual resale is a priority, as complete sets command a modest premium. Independent inspection by a qualified watchmaker before purchase is advisable — particularly to assess crown and gasket integrity, movement service status, and bracelet condition. The price on this example is available on request directly through My Watch Dealer.
The Rolex Datejust 36 in two-tone Rolesor with a fluted yellow gold bezel and Jubilee bracelet is one of the most enduring and consistently traded configurations the reference has ever been offered in.
Live inventory for this model — updated continuously as pieces arrive and sell.
