Superb 1983 Rolex Datejust Ref. 16018 in Yellow Gold – Onyx "SWISS Only" Dial

Lancée à la fin des années 1970, la référence 16018 marque l’entrée de la Datejust en or massif dans la grande génération « 5 chiffres » de Rolex, qui apporte le verre saphir inrayable et le calibre 3035 automatique certifié chronomètre, premier mouvement Rolex à haute fréquence avec date à changement instantané.
La 16018 que nous avons le plaisir de proposer a conservé son bracelet Rolex President d’origine en or jaune 18 carats (réf. 8385) – configuration plus rare que sur Jubilee or, qui s’apparente à la configuration reine de la Day-Date. Le cadran est en onyx noir, variété sombre de calcédoine prisée par Rolex sur ses Datejust en or et Day-Date des années 1970 et 1980, qui lui confère un noir profond et dense. La signature « SWISS » à 6 heures est cohérente avec l’année, et le disque de date d’origine présente, comme attendu, des 6 et des 9 ouverts sur fond champagne.
L’exemplaire est préservé en excellent état général. Les cannelures de la lunette sont très nettes. Le calibre 3035 a été entièrement révisé par l’un de nos horlogers expérimentés et fonctionne parfaitement. La pièce est en outre livrée avec un bracelet supplémentaire Amplitude° neuf en cuir cordovan noir, monté sur une boucle ardillon Rolex plaquée or jaune.
Configuration « haut-de-gamme » de la Datejust 36 mm or massif des années 1980, cette 16018 cadran onyx sur President d’origine combine trois choix qui signalaient à l’époque l’acheteur le plus exigeant : l’or jaune, le cadran en pierre et le bracelet Président. L’opportunité d’acquérir une Datejust dans la configuration qui en exprime le mieux la dimension habillée.

Launched in the late 1970s, the reference 16018 marks the arrival of the solid gold Datejust within Rolex’s great “5-digit” generation, which brought two major technical evolutions: the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and, above all, the automatic caliber 3035 certified chronometer, the first Rolex movement to adopt high frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour). Successor to the 1575, the 3035 introduced the instantaneous date change. The 36 mm case in 18-carat yellow gold preserves the canonical silhouette of the Datejust: Oyster case with screw-down caseback, the historical fluted bezel, and a crown signed with the Rolex Crown.

The 16018 we are pleased to offer has retained its original Rolex President bracelet in 18-carat yellow gold, reference 8385, with concealed clasp and end-links 55. This configuration is rarer than the 16018 Datejust models delivered on a gold Jubilee, and is thus akin to the canonical configuration of the Day-Date, displaying exemplary elegance. The clasp code G indicates production in 1982, a few months before the case was struck in 1983: everything points to an original bracelet, born with the watch.

The dial is in black onyx, a dark variety of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz) cut into a very thin plate and applied to the dial base. Particularly favoured by Rolex during the 1970s and 1980s on its gold Datejust and Day-Date models, onyx gives a deep, dense black, whose material has nothing in common with that of a “classic” lacquered or painted dial. The “SWISS” signature at 6 o’clock is consistent with the watch’s year of manufacture. The original date disc displays, as expected, open 6s and 9s on a champagne ground.

This Datejust is preserved in excellent overall condition. The case retains perfectly crisp and precise bezel fluting, as well as well-defined brushed and polished surfaces. The movement, Rolex caliber 3035, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs perfectly.

The piece is moreover supplied with an additional new Amplitude° strap in black cordovan leather, fitted on a Rolex pin buckle plated in yellow gold, allowing the wearer to move from the full presence of the gold President to a more discreet wear, depending on the occasion.

A top-of-the-range configuration of the 36 mm solid gold Datejust of the 1980s, this 16018 with onyx dial on original President bracelet combines three optional choices that, at the time, signalled the most discerning buyer: yellow gold, the stone dial, and the President bracelet. An elegant opportunity to acquire a Datejust in the configuration that best expresses its dressy dimension.

This Datejust reference 16018 is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The Oyster case retains its original proportions and finishes, with a crisp alternation between matt/brushed/satin surfaces and bright/mirror-polished ones. The fluted bezel is perfectly defined.
The onyx dial is original, of a deep black, and shows no chips, scratches or impacts. Its inscriptions, including the “SWISS” at 6 o’clock, are impeccable, with the exception of the “R” of “ROLEX”, which shows a slight loss of gold pigment.
The Rolex President bracelet in yellow gold with concealed clasp, reference 8385, clasp code G (production in 1982), end-links 55 is original and in very fine condition, with minimal stretch.
The mechanical automatic-winding movement, Rolex caliber 3035, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs perfectly.
A reference example.

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