Zidane's Review of Rolex 16018 Yellow Gold Datejust

[zidaneong]

Rolex 16018 Yellow Gold Datejust

My Rolex 16018 Yellow Gold Datejust was given to me by my Father earlier last year and this watch is his signature watch that he wore for work and events. He used to wear it on a Gold President Bracelet (Not Original Rolex) and a Diamond Bezel (Not Original) which my Brother got for him in the 80s upon his request.(Note: He bought the Watch brand new with Leather Strap from Tickling Time back in 1985 and I am only born in 1986 which I cannot dictate the decisions of the Elder)

Ok, when the watch was passed to me, I removed the diamond bezel and the president bracelet as I am quite a purist in Rolex, I cannot stand these items. However, the Original Dial which is a Matt Gold Dial with Diamonds was corroded due to water slippage and poor handling of the watch. Therefore, I have no choice but to recon the dial then as I was unable to find any suitable dial available in the market then.

Here is the Front view of the Restored Watch



My watchmaker made a good job in recon of the original dial, but Rolex Service Centre does not recognize the modified Dial and its modified hands (Seconds, Minute, Hour) as an Original Rolex Watch.

Looking on the Bright side, my Mother helped my Father to keep the Original Warranty Certificate and the Purchase Receipt that help added the value and history to the watch. In addition, I managed to find a suitable Rolex Watch Box to keep its accessories (Original Green Tag, Original Red Tag, Warranty Certificate, Purchase Receipt as well as the Warranty Card holder.

The Rolex 16018 with the Box



Lets have some basic technical information on the Rolex 16018:-

Model: Rolex Datejust
Reference No: 16018 (this model replaces the Rolex 1601/8)
Material: Yellow Gold
Series: 8 Million Series
Circa: 1985
Movement: 3035 (Rolex 3035 movement that utilizes bigger parts as compared to 3135 movement and therefore it has a slightly ticking sound when one holds it near to them)
Crystal: Sapphire (Note: Rolex Gold Watches adopted the Sapphire Crystal earlier than their Half-Gold and Stainless Steel counterparts in the same era, example 16013, 16014 etc)
Water Resistance: 100m with Rolex Crown screw in perfectly and gaskets in working condition.
Lug: No Pin Hole
Strap: Rolex Alligator Leather Strap with Rolex Plated Gold Buckle (I still have the Original 750 Solid Gold Buckle which I keep while using the Plated Gold Buckle as a spare)

Profile Views of the Rolex 16018


1) Side View of the Watch with the Standard Rolex Screw In Crown with one line under the Crown.


2) View of the Bezel and the Crown. Note: The Bezel of the Rolex 16018 is in an angle that is steeper than its Successor, Rolex 16238 and notice that the finishing of the Bezel is also shaper like a engine-turned bezel which looks abit like its predecessor, Rolex 1601/8. Some may like it while some may not like this design but I am fine with it.


3) Back View of the Watch
a) Backcase: the backcase for the 16018 is slightly wider than 16238.
b) Hallmarks: 18K denote Gold Material, the other 2 is too small to see as I don't own a loupe.

Conclusion

Finally, I have reach to an end of my short review of the Rolex 16018 Yellow Gold Datejust. As I had mentioned earlier, my Dial for the Rolex 16018 is a Recon Dial which is a huge let-down for me and ever since I been searching for a Stone Dial to mount on the watch which is a part of my bucket list to realise my dream with my deceased Uncle (Gan Diao) to have a Stone Dial Watch.(note: I might just make do with a vignette dial as stone dial is hard to find these days )

Last but not list, a Photo of my Rolex 16018 Yellow Gold DateJust with my Rolex 18239BIC Tridor DayDate to end this short review.



Thanks for Reading my Review and pardon me for my poor photography skills and language used.

[Eric Chan]

Great write up and pictures. Thank you for sharing.

[sea-dweller]

Nice review and photos!

[Psmith]

Great, thanks

[zidaneong]

Thanks Friends. :)

[zidaneong]

A little update to my 16018 Post

After trying in vain to search for a Stone Dial, i finally find a nice White Mother of Pearl Dial (Original Rolex Dial) for my 16018 and it looks fabulous



It sure looks real good with the white MOP dial



It reflects shades of Rainbow under different lighting conditions



Finally a Wrist shot with my Mum's 16018 which i sourced for her. :)

Thanks for Reading and have a Nice Day