1987 Rolex Datejust Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Ref. 16233

First introduced in 1945, the Rolex Datejust has long served as the brand’s everyday standard—simple, and adaptable for all occasions. The late-80s reference 16233 marks the point where the DateJust transitions fully into the neo-vintage Rolex era, with features such as a sapphire crystal and a quickset date.

This 1987 example pairs the steel and 18k yellow gold case with a grey dial and applied baton indices. The dial and sapphire crystal are spotless, and the hands and hour markers show no tarnishing, giving the dial a sharp appearance. The case and bracelet are in honest condition, showing surface wear throughout, but its shape remains defined with no indication of over-polishing. The Jubilee bracelet has some stretch, something commonly seen on bracelets of this era, especially Jubilees. Many wearers appreciate the way a well-worn Jubilee drapes more naturally around the wrist, giving it a comfortable, vintage feel.

Inside is the Rolex Caliber 3035, the brand’s first high-beat movement — often cited as a benchmark for modern Rolex engineering, because it served as the template for decades of Rolex movements across six product lines.

A well-loved but overall sorted 16233 with a clean dial, defined case, and picturesque character of a vintage two-tone Rolex.