This Watch Made Me Rethink 36mm | Rolex Datejust 

Worked hard for 3 years (graveyard shift at Ralphs)... I applied for, got accepted to the USC Pharmacy School.... I bought this model, the 16030 from Fred’s.... many life moments since.... this one was first!

With the modern madness of waiting lists and grey market price gouging on sports Rolex models, I personally think the 36mm Datejust are still the best buy in modern Rolex. Lots of combinations of dials, bezels and bracelet choices and no waiting list nonsense.

I'm old enough to remember when the datejust was considered a big watch . I also remember the Seiko quartz being a modern watch to be admired and the ticking second hand was "neat".

Stunning watch. Simple, elegant, versatile, and timeless. When I first got into watches I started with wearing 45mm watches. As time went on and I got more into the hobby the pieces in my collection scaled down to 42, then 40, then 38, and now everything I own in my modest 3 watch collection is 36mm. Watches that size are understated and extremely comfortable on wrist. Glad that watches are trending back down to less bulky sizes. Great review 👍🏼

36mm is just a classic. I have a 1601 two tone, with a lovely jingly jangly jubilee with solid links (not folded), pie pan golden dial and baton hour markers. 36mm works amazingly well on my 7.5' wrist. I also have a recent 36mm OP, and while the lugs are slighly beefier, it also wears surprisingly well. I'd say Rolex 36mm cases wear larger.

Very well articulated. This is exactly why I will get the new Datejust 36, that just got updated and is now available in full steel. I have a number of sports models in 40mm, but I am surprised how well my 1601 wears. I just need a new, modern version to withstand daily usage / travel / sport, and the latest one with might just be the best version they ever came up with.

As far as I know, the case in the 16XX and 16XXX series are identical. I do agree with the wearability of the 36mm case. I am 6ft / 200lbs+ with a 7in wrist, and the 126200 (latest generation 36mm DJ) looks fantastic.

The 16030 with machined bezel is favorite watch with Jubelee bracelet. Silver dial....acrilic cristal is changeable into sahirre for this model. Thank you for the video.

Where in New England you at ? I'm in Central Maine. I recently just got the 36mm Oyster Perpetual Blue dial 3 6 9 and love it. Agreed with you on the classic not too small for your wrist. Awesome video and thanks for doing such a great job 👏

It doesn’t get any better than the Stainless Datejust with a silver dial.

I like your enthusiasm about watches, awesome Video!

16030 Datejust machine bezel. My favorite watch. I serviced mine last year. Very nice watch. With plexiglass. Mine with Jubelee. Was my grail watch es my dad had it rose gold with Oyster bracelet.

Man that brings. Ack memories , had that exact watch for many years in my younger days and loved it! One of my all time regrets was selling it , a financial decision I’ll never forget!😢

Hey Mike, I just sent you a comment about my vintage Seiko diver and thanks for your reply. Now I can make another comment about these gorgeous SS 1603 Datejust Rolex watches. I also have a vintage 1974-75 1603 model with a grey sigma dial and a jubilee bracelet. No quickset, but surely not a deal breaker. I love this watch, also my holy grail (always wanted to own a Rolex). I think the engined turned bezel is much better than the fluted. The cool thing about these vintage Rolex's is the patina on the dial. I noticed there was some on yours and mine also has it. Hard to believe these watches are 45 years old and still running like new. It's certainly the mainstay of the Rolex watch line. A tremendous icon. Thanks for your review. Keep them coming.

I enjoyed this video. Like you, the Rolex DateJust has been my grail watch since I was a boy.

That black Bay looks huge!

Have Tudor Prince Oysterdate in my wrist made by 1993,.. its very similar with your Rolex datejust. 😁👍

Great Vid. Thank you for sharing....

great video. Helpful and useful. thanks

They feel far more substantial on an oyster bracelet. Enjoy it my 16220 with engine turned bezel and grey tapestry arrives tomorrow!

Hi Just Watch You’re absolutely right. The DJ is a stylish, timeless classic. In the league with very few others like the Omega Moon model, maybe the Breitling Navitimer and others. The fact that I can’t immediately think of others in this category might be a sign... I have one with the older 1570 movement, and it’s absolutely satisfying. For me it’s more of a dress watch nowadays - but still a dress watch that you don’t have to worry much about. And that’s a cool thing. Underneath that elegant appearance it’s really a tough cookie, designed as a tool watch as it originally was. And furthermore; 36 mm is really Ok for a dress piece...

Nice review of a beautiful vintage Rolex Datejust ! I hope you still enjoy it !

I've just bought the 89 version of that watch same dial' difference's are sapphire glass and jubilee bracelet. And must say i love wearing it

Got one incoming , anyone have any advice on where to get a genuine spare link ? Bit too tight when I tried it on ..

This DateJUST could JUST be the perfect watch.

Datejust is a classic and perfect size

I occasionally wear a 36mm modern Oyster Perpetual with the beefier case, on a 7.5” wrist and I think it looks great. I often wear it back-to-back with a 45.4mm IWC Yacht Club.

Excellent presentation! Quick question... I'm in the market for the same dial variation and color of the DJ. Is that silver dial really silver or did it change the color and a hue over time into a gold-ish tone? Your feedback means a lot to me and it will greatly impact my choice over silver and a gray dial. Thank you

I like this video - the Datejust watch is just what it is when it was initially designed as really the first watch with the date change starting at midnight but it was not quick but taking about two hours. The 3035 movement is the first quick date change at midnight that came out about 1983. I can not imagine why anybody would want to wear a dive watch for other than what it was designed for and these new 41mm Rolex's are ridiculous. For most men, the 34mm to 36mm watches are a perfect fit especially with the more comfortable jubilee bracelet that wears gracefully after thirty-years wearing - - never, and I mean never let your vintage watch be so-called polished when servicing - even at 665 Fifth Avenue R-USA for it takes off too much metal interfering with your watch wearing gracefully to a mature patina. And never allow the repair people SALES people - even at 665 to exchange your warn bracelet for a new one unless absolutely necessary; if anything, insist to have your bracelet mended ONLY at Rolex 665 that will be expensive but worth every dollar invested; Rolex has bracelet specialists and goldsmiths on location. Should you ever have to sell your Rolex, by showing that everything is original and including official ROLEX repair/service papers, receipts, boxes, and stating that it has the original balance staff adds to its so-called resale value. Then again, I would not understand why you would want to sell your Rolex especially - your first Rolex. Personally, I enjoy the 34mm 15000 series "DATE" selection for size and practicality and have a modest collection of these acquired new and warranted that I have serviced only at R-USA 665 including several prized 15235's in jubilee - and I am trying to convince my wife to let me give her the understated 31mm in all gold.

How do you measure the size of these watches ? I have a pre '77 perpetual date just left to me by my mother . It is 18ct gold and looks very small for a man's wrist. Thank you .

There is no other watch that is more "masculine" than the Rolex Datejust.

Hi, thank you for that presentation. Is that a silver dial? It looks cream to me.

Sweet!

I have recently inherited a stainless steel DJ from my mums uncle and know very little about it in terms of serial or model numbers as the box and papers were lost. It runs perfectly and assume it’s from mid 80s. It has a fair amount of tiny scratches upon close examination and the case has 3-4 tiny grazes but otherwise in good condition. I have been wanting to service it but have read many comments online saying only an idiot would service a working vintage watch. I don’t intend on ever selling it in the future. Do you think it’s a good idea to give it a proper refurb? I want a nice polished looking Rolex but don’t want to regret if it’s a bad idea

Hello. I’m buying this watch later on in the year and can’t decide on white mother of pearl or black mother of pearl face, do you know if one is more sought after than the other? It’s a big purchase for me so I need to make right decision. Thanks for video.

how much should one of these cost? maximum considering in good condition

I never thought I'd wear a 36mm but grew up at a time when it was THE watch to have. I feared I would buy one and then never wear it. I solved it by buying a Holuns homage to dry run it 😀 Truth to say that after initially thinking it looked small I have now got used to it and in fact feel it looks great, my divers now feel clunky. So now I'm looking for the real thing in stainless and white gold.......the next big decision is the bracelet.

❤

That’s the 16030

I can’t afford a Rolex , so I got a seiko snxj89 🤣

36mm is to small 😊👍🏻

To small for Rolex watch is not worth is wasting money for a so small watch?