Rolex An incredibly attractive, very fascinating and colorful, Datejust, automatic wristwatch in yellow gold, with lapis lazuli dial, Accompanied by Rolex service card, pochette, outer packaging and receipt, reference 16018.
An incredibly attractive, very fascinating and colorful, Datejust, automatic wristwatch in yellow gold, with lapis lazuli dial, Accompanied by Rolex service card, pochette, outer packaging and receipt, reference 16018. Rolex has long explored the use of hardstone dials, transforming rare natural materials into refined expressions of watchmaking. Among the most captivating is lapis lazuli, prized since antiquity for its intense ultramarine hue and delicate golden pyrite inclusions that resemble a night sky. The present Datejust reference 16018, crafted in 18k yellow gold, is fitted with a deep blue lapis lazuli dial of remarkable richness. Each dial was cut from a solid piece of stone and carefully polished to a thin, even surface, an exacting process given the material’s fragility. Any imperfection meant starting again, which explains the limited production and enduring desirability of these examples. Unlike standard dials, hardstone variants dispense with applied hour markers, allowing the natural beauty of the stone to take center stage. Here, the blue surface creates a striking contrast with the yellow gold hands, fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet. Reference 16018, introduced in the late 1970s, represents the full-gold evolution of the classic Datejust line, powered by the automatic caliber 3035 with quickset date. Its 36mm Oyster case, screw-down crown and robust construction maintain the model’s reputation for everyday reliability, while the lapis dial elevates it into the realm of the uncommon. Preserved in great overall condition, with strong case proportions and a well-defined fluted bezel, this example embodies the balance Rolex achieved between technical performance and aesthetic experimentation. Hardstone dials such as lapis, malachite, onyx and tiger’s eye were never mass-produced in large numbers, and surviving pieces with clean, crack-free surfaces are increasingly appreciated by collectors.
