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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Datejust wristwatch with stone dial

Rolex Datejust Reference 16018

Partially verified

This Rolex Datejust, identified as reference 16018, is a wristwatch featuring a solid yellow gold construction and a factory-made Lapis Lazuli stone dial. The Datejust line, introduced in 1945, utilizes the Oyster case design. This specific reference is part of the 4-digit series of Datejust watches, which are noted for the lack of a quickset date function. The dial is constructed from a shaved piece of blue Lapis Lazuli, a material used by Rolex in a limited series of stone-dial timepieces alongside other materials such as Onyx, Malachite, and Coral. The watch is fitted with a 'President' bracelet featuring a hidden clasp. The auction description reports that the dial exhibits minor hairline fractures and the watch case shows signs of wear, including one impression on the left case profile.

Rolex Datejust 16018 featuring a Lapis Lazuli stone dial and yellow gold Oyster case with President bracelet.
Rolex Datejust 16018 featuring a Lapis Lazuli stone dial and yellow gold Oyster case with President bracelet. — Oliver & Clarke. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
oliverandclarke.com
Category
Wristwatch · Datejust wristwatch with stone dial
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
16018
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Bracelet

The watch is housed in an Oyster case manufactured from solid yellow gold. It features a fluted bezel and a cyclops magnifier over the date aperture. The case retains a strong profile, though the vendor notes the presence of a single impression on the left side of the case, consistent with historical wear.

It is equipped with a President-style bracelet, which is constructed from matching yellow gold and includes the manufacturer's signed hidden clasp mechanism. The overall condition is described as well-preserved, maintaining its structural integrity while showing expected surface wear from use over time.

Evidence for this section
  • “a solid-gold Datejust”
  • “a 'President' bracelet with the desirable signed hidden clasp”
  • “a very strong case that shows normal wear from age and use with one impression on the left case profile”

Dial and Stone Composition

The centerpiece of this reference 16018 is its blue Lapis Lazuli dial. This is a factory-produced component crafted from a shaved-down piece of the natural stone. These dials were part of a limited production series by the manufacturer, which also utilized other materials such as Malachite, Onyx, and Coral.

Due to the nature of the stone, the dial is inherently fragile. These fissures are described as being hardly visible to the naked eye, allowing the watch to be worn regularly without significant aesthetic impairment.

Evidence for this section
  • “a blue 'Lapis Lazuli' dial, which belongs to a family of watches produced with a series of rare and exotic stones”
  • “made from shaved down pieces of Onyx Malachite, Coral, and in this case - Lapis Lazuli.”
  • “in this case, exhibits a few hairline fractures hardly visible to the naked eye.”

Horological Context and Features

This feature was only introduced in later five-digit references during the late 1970s.

The dial bears the standard 'Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified' text and the 'T SWISS T' marking at the bottom, indicating the use of tritium luminous material.

Evidence for this section
  • “What the 4-digits watches do lack, is a quickset date”
  • “dials were handmade by artisans”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production date range for the Rolex Datejust 16018?
  • Are there variations in the thickness or application of Lapis Lazuli dials across different Rolex references?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Datejust Reference 16018
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRolex“Produced by Rolex for a limited time”
Reference16018“a Ref. 16018, features a blue 'Lapis Lazuli' dial”
MaterialSolid yellow gold“this is a solid-gold Datejust”
Dial materialLapis Lazuli“made from shaved down pieces of Onyx Malachite, Coral, and in this case - Lapis Lazuli.”
Bracelet typePresident“a 'President' bracelet with the desirable signed hidden clasp”
ConditionWell preserved with minor wear“remains in excellent, well preserved condition overall, with a very strong case that shows normal wear from age and use with one impression on the left case profile”

Visible details

  • Blue Lapis Lazuli stone dial with 'T SWISS T' signature at the bottom
  • Fluted yellow gold bezel
  • Cyclops lens over the date window
  • President-style link bracelet with hidden clasp

Research qualifications

  • The exact year of manufacture is not provided in the source material
  • The source mentions 'a few hairline fractures' on the dial, which may not be fully visible in all provided images

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی طلای Rolex Datejust رفرنس 16018 با صفحه سنگ لاجورد

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 029fe1ff3b

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.