Rolex Datejust Roman Numeral Dial Ref.16234

When the ref. 16234 was introduced in the late 1980s, it became renowned as Rolex’s modern interpretation of the Datejust with a fluted gold bezel. In contrast to the smoother bezel option, this reference offered a slightly more refined look for everyday wear, featuring Rolex’s signature allure within its versatile 36mm Oyster case and a wide range of dial choices.

The ref. 16234 was one of the early models in the Datejust family to carry a five-digit reference number, and it was notably one of the first to incorporate a sapphire crystal. This model was available from the late 1980s to the mid-2000s and brought several significant enhancements to the Datejust lineage. One of its standout features was the Rolex patented “jumping date” mechanism, which instantaneously changed the date at midnight, distinguishing it from previous Datejust iterations that transitioned the date gradually over the last few hours. Furthermore, during the era of five-digit references, those beginning with 162XX, like this one, were equipped with the more modern caliber 3135, while the 160XX references used the earlier caliber 3035—a detail worth noting.