14k DJ 16013 - History?

[vesnyder]

I have a 14k DJ that I purchased new in 1984. At the time I was told by the seller that Rolex was moving away from 14k because of all the fakes out there? That makes no sense to me. Anybody know the full story - when were they last made, why, and are they less valuable/desirable than the 18k? Were they more durable than the 18k?

Thanks!

[powerfunk]

15007, 15017 and 15037 were the last 14k gold models and 15505 was the last gold-plated model. Probably last made 1989ish. I just think 18k is more "luxurious" and Rolex has gone steadily upmarket since then.

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[FloridaSam]

My father and I own 14k 16013s. He told me that at the time gold was spiking and this is why, in the US market at least, 14k was used to keep the cost down a bit. Could be BS but this is what he was told when he purchased it. The gold graph seems to confirm the spike. By the late 80's-90 the price settled down and 18k was affordable again.

[Fredrik]

I was under the impression that they were 14k in the US because of custom tariffs? They have always been 18k in my parts of the world. The move to 18k in the US was probably to make it more exclusive there? The price of a Rolex almost 8-folded in the 80s.

[daveo5]

Rolex used 14 k in the US until about mid 80’s for one reason, tariffs. Once that problem was resolved they switched to 18 k. As an aside, US jewelers preferred 14 k over 18 k due to strength. European jewelers always preferred 18 k.


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[othertbone]

Originally Posted by vesnyder

I have a 14k DJ that I purchased new in 1984. At the time I was told by the seller that Rolex was moving away from 14k because of all the fakes out there? That makes no sense to me. Anybody know the full story - when were they last made, why, and are they less valuable/desirable than the 18k? Were they more durable than the 18k?

Thanks!

Yes 14k is more durable than 18k, but much less luxurious and pleasing to the eye. A luxury brand does not use 14k and that why Rolex eventually went away from that.