Datejust the 15 year review......
 

well sort of.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93...c/89607d77.jpg

This example of a 16233 is from 1990, a E Serial. This watch spent the first 5 years of its life pretty much in a safe only worn for special occasions as I was too young at the time. My family already knew then what I learned later on in my watch collecting career which is that a Rolex will always be worth its weight in gold (not literally of course, but it will always hold its value at the very least) I see it more and more now that parents are buying fine timepieces to give to their kids when they get older and I believe I will do the same one day when I have a child. Afterall 15-20 years from now after 15-20 price hikes a $4700 Sea Dweller today won't seem so expensive right?


Now this watch started getting some real wrist time about 10 years ago and it has been to hell and back. The watch saw a lot of extracurricular activities that would have been the death of other makes. It has hit brack walls while doing garden work, it has hit exhaust pipes, fallen from top shelves onto tile and concrete, it was basically put through the torture tests you see on tv for timex and glad garbage bags :chuckle: The only thing that the watch has had to visit Rolex for other than for regular scheduled maintenance is for a crystal when I hit the edge on a door. Other than that it has been one tough SOB.


Now on to the watch itself (and not my clumsiness)

Movement:

The movement is the bread and butter movement from Rolex the 3135. It is the date movement found in many watches in Rolex's stable such as current DJs, Submariner, Yacht Master, and Sea Dweller. I can pretty much say it is the most shock proof movement I have ever owned since I put my watches through a lot in my day to day life.


Case/Bracelet/Dial:

The case is your typical oyster, water resistant to 100m or 330ft. The caseback and crown is of the screw down type (pretty much standard these days for watches that are water resistant)

The bracelet on this model is the jubilee one in SS and 18k YG. I cant say that this watch scratches easily (something that ppl say happens to the gold portion) since the scratches are all my fault I cant really blame the design or material used for the signs of typical daily wear. Some complain about this bracelet design being noisey, but I dont find that the case and it has never been an issue with me.

The stick marker dial is again another classic trait of the DJ line, clean and simple to read with no BS. However I am also a fan of the Romans and would pick either one if I were to buy this watch again.
The only issue I have had with this watch and dial is that its difficult to read in the dark as the luminous dots on the ends of the stick markers have pretty much had their day. Even though the lume is gone on this dial I still prefer it over the 116233 dial with the big lume markers as I feel the new ones are too sport watch like for the DJ.

Design:

What can I say the 16233 (and now 116233) is THE watch in Rolex's lineup that screams the company name. The Jub bracelet coupled with the fluted gold bezel in Two Tone has become an icon in Asian countries ( and many others) as being the watch to have once you have "arrived" (if you dont believe me go visit HK LOL ) The design is classic, and with the DJ line having so many dial choices overall its hard not to be able to find something you like in this series.

The TT models are a little dressier than their SS siblings but I have not found a reason as to why it cannot be worn with casual attire, just like a Sub and SD can be worn with a tux.


Overall I give this watch 9/10



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93...te_g35c/05.jpg

A classic timeless design watch.

As you knoe, Roger, I also love the TT DJ (I won't bore you with posting more pics of mine here - LOL!!). I agree with you that it is the quintessential Rolex. The moment you see a TT DJ, you just know it is a Rolex. I do think of it as a dressier watch than any of the sport models. I hardly ever wear mine with casual clothes, although you never know when the mood strikes to be a bit different.

For example, I'm in Las Vegas this week and brought along my YG DD to wear all the time. I mean, where better to wear a YG DD with jeans than in Vegas. :chuckle:

But back to the TT DJ, whether it be with sticks or Romans (my personal preference), it is a great looking watch, and as you have found out, tough as nails - the way a Rolex should be. :clap:

Thanks for a great review, Roger.

The TT DJ is kinda nostalgic for me as it was my very FIRST Rolex way back in October 1980, the one I purchased in Teheran (Iran). Mine was the older 16203 with acrylic crystal and 14 K gold. I remember mine having a coffee coloured dial. Used it for 10 long years - the longest I've ever had any watch!! :chuckle:

my dad has the same datejust but the color of the dial is gold . he wears it daily since the 1960's ! which he got as a gift from his dad who had the watch for around 10 years before he gave it to my dad..still looks brand new!

My dad has a gold dialled TT DJ as well and has been wearing it proudly since about 1980. The TT DJ is and always will be a Rolex Icon

That's one durable watch. Thanks for the review.

Love mine!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

http://idisk.mac.com/reichea/Public/djsm.jpg

Thanks for a great review of a classic Rolex, Roger! :thumbsup: :cheers: :cheers:

11 year ago I was told the Rolex to own was a Datejust period. This was before I knew what a Rolex was and what model to get. Every jeweller or pawn shop always told me to get a Datejust. I even check the archives here and the main topic of watch was the DJ. Today, you guys are praising the Sub and SD but either Rolex is a win win in my book

Great review Roger the DJ will live forever.

Great info! Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup: :cheers:

Good review,
I can recall my first Rolex bought in 1989 for $1,500 from an AD. At the time I thought $1,500 was a fortune. Imagine if current Rolex watches sold for this. It was a SS DateJust with a jubilee band and a steel tapestry dial. (I was in my late teens so I thought I was cool) I also subjected the watch to treatments that I would never subject my current Rolex watches to like sleeping with the watch on, working in the yard, painting, and cleaning the exterior of the watch with jewelry cleaner. I am glad the bands on Rolex watches have improved over time, my only issue with my original Rolex band was the band had to be replaced after four years, keeping in mind that this was due to excessive abuse on my part. I later sold the watch to upgrade to another Rolex, but I wish I had not because it was my first Rolex and I would be nice to own today strictly for sentimental value.

The TT DJ,ss Sub/date and the YG DDs,must surely be THE icons of Rolex ... :cheers:

May you enjoy many more happy years with the TT DJ ... :thumbsup:

I had the an identical DJ!! Very nice! Let me tell you my first "tough Rolex" story. I had just bought my first Rolex, a 1991 DJ TT with a factory black diamond dial. I was helpiing a friend move and we were moving his TV. Well as we squeezed through a door way, I felt my Rolex jam into the door and then run or scrape rather across the door as I CRINGED!! I fully expected that my watch was screwed!! When we put the TV down I looked and the watch, the door and caught it on the bezel and crystal. There was a hunk of wood and paint stuck to the watch, I dusted it off and NOT A SCRATCH!! I was a ROLEX MAN from that day forward!!

Nice!!!!

oh gosh,close shave man.Its really amazing,only diamonds could scratch that tough sapphire screen i guess.Anyone knows wads its prone to?:cheers:

WTF ? I have seen this one before !

????

i love my datejust!!
its a classic always good to wear.
i wear with a suit all the time.
but dont get me wrong i will wear with jeans or sweats
i love it

Long live Datejusts and thier owners...

After getting the TT lady Datejust, my wife isn't wearing the other watches much anymore. The other watches are quartz with the exception being a 18K WG manual Omega. The other watches are attactive, accurate, durable Seikos, Bulovas etc, but they just aren't the same as the Rolex Datejust. So now she tells me that she wants a Rolex "Sport Model", and I'm thinking Yachtmaster, or something. Her idea of a "Sport Model" is a SS Lady Datejust with black dial, or maybe a black diamond dial, and fluted bezel. The Datejust is a timeless icon whose importance cannot be ignored. My wife enjoys it when people recognize the watch, she says they try to be discreet, but always have to have a second look.

if you dont mind me asking, is that an aftermarket dial on the DJ?

Datejust put simply, elegant, instantly recognisable and quality time pieces. Im wearing one and one of the shop keepers also mentioned how nice the watch was on my wrist. OF course, me not being the type to advertise the authenticity, shrugged it off as a copy.

We bought the DJ second hand from a diamond jeweler. At the time, I was just a Rolex newbie (still am), and didn't ask about the dial or the bezel. I now think that the bezel is an aftermarket addition, but the dial is original. Although I haven't seen many in blue, there are a few of them. I have even seen different colors of blue. Blue, dark blue, light blue, anniversary blue, and even a blue dial which is darker on the circumferance and lighter in the center. My wife likes diamond dials (of course), but I feel as though the diamonds crowd the dial, making it look smaller. The stick markers and diamond bezel has a unique look in my eyes. This DJ is an "E" S/N and dates to about 1990.

Classic :cheers:

sorry, I did mean the bezel. :banghead::banghead::banghead:needs to check post before posting. and now cant edit :thumbsdow

Great review and awesome, timeless watch :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Terry Newton

Great looking watch, and good review

Enjoy reading your review.

Nice review :cheers::cheers:

I can't agree more on the TT DJ, I've had mine for 28 years and it still looks great and works perfect...
My close friends still can believe I still have the same old Rolex watch all these years...

My father has his ss DJ since 1970's. It's still working perfectly. Back that days, it only cost $20, not sure how much now.

hi my friend,

i hope u understand my bad eng...

i was 2 months ago in Amsterdam , and i bought this watch from a guy overthere .. here's the question i realy don't know anything about Rolex, just heard of the name that's it...

anyway , i just would like to know what type of model it is , price , more details about it ,,plz ..... cause i saw you have exactly the same watch like me , but mine is in blue :



picture : http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?ima...2009139vt6.jpg

i hope u can help my ,, again i dont speak so good english so i hope u can explain me in easy english ;)
thank you

timmy

The Datejust is awesome!
 

IMO it's the best in the Rolex lineup, as it doesn't look out of place anywhere really. It can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.:cheers:

the perfect rolex
 

I gave the gold face version to one of my sons. It was an early 80's, plastic crystal. I agree with one of the earlier responders-- this watch says ROLEX about as any. As dressy as it looks, it's still a sports watch and will take enormous abuse. Enjoy it.

Great review !

A Datejust is the next Rolex on my list!!

Great Watch!

My wife purchased this pre-owned DJ TT in August and added the diamond bezel. The dial is a Rolex original. Sorry but my photography stinks! In any kind of light, this baby pops with orient colors from the MOP dial and sparkles from the diamonds. It is a very pretty watch.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/P1060686.jpg

I have a TT sub with silver serti dial and 40 MM is about as small as I want to wear.

That leaves out the Presidential and DJ for me.

Oh yes! The TT DJ brings back sweet memories for me. I bought mine in 1976 in Singapore when I got promoted to Regional Manager and relocated to Singapore. I remembered that I shopped around for the best discount with a local employee in a weekend. I bought it for about S$1800, US$700. This watch is the most copied by many other watchmakers in the world!

That reminds me to start wearing it again!

My dad has a tt date that looks just like this one. What is the difference between the two besides the name?