THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 16233
YEAR: 1995
BOX/PAPERS: YES/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL / 18K YELLOW GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL / 18K YELLOW GOLD
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

If you were to imagine a frozen disc of freshly poured Guinness, or perhaps your favourite caffeine fix, you wouldn’t be far from picturing the dial on this Datejust. Despite its appearance, it isn't a liquid suspended in time but rather a slither of three principal chemical materials; Cellulose, Hemicelluloses and Lignin arranged by nature into a perfect pattern, and grown to become one of the most familiar naturally occurring materials on Earth - Wood.

Combing this with a case made from steel and solid 18K yellow gold, we have ourselves one of the most luxurious-looking Datejusts ever made. One can imagine the original owner walking out of the Rolex boutique on an autumn day in 1995 and getting into his Mercedes S class decorated with the same wooden panel. 

This nearly 30-year-old watch is in incredible condition, with a sharp case and bezel and tight bracelet. The dial is spotless, the hands have some slight oxidisation near the stem, the case has been polished in the past but retains thick lugs. The fluted bezel is nice and sharp and the date wheel has gained a beautifully creamy patina. The V12 stamped bracelet (Dec 96) has recently been re pinned and retains its full links. The movement has just been serviced and is running perfectly at + 4/s, 275 amps, with a 0.2 ms beat error.

Being the only example in the world for sale currently, this unapologetically extravagant Datejust is ready for its new home.