Rolex Datejust 16014 - Blue Buckley dial - Full set 1978

ROLEX DATEJUST 16014
Stainless Steel | Buckley dial | Full set 1978

Origin

It goes without saying that Rolex does not require any introduction. The brand simply acts as a synonym for outstanding watchmaking – valued for its long-lasting quality, innovation and bold aesthetic.

The Rolex journey began in 1905 in the Swiss Jura under the mastery of Hans Wilsdorf, a visionary entrepreneur with German roots. Soon the brand distinguished itself with the extensible bracelet, its precision (chronometer certificated, as issued by the Swiss Society of Chronometry) and its robustness. In 1927 Rolex gained international recognition with the release of the Rolex Oyster, the first waterproof watch thanks to a revolutionary crown protecting the movement.

Many more pivotal models followed, characterized by their technical novelty and incomparable reliability – often linked to sporting performances (such as the Explorer of 1953 that accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary on the first ever ascent of the Everest or the Daytona of 1963, named after the famous endurance car race).

The Rolex Datejust is most likely one of the most distinguished dress watches ever created. The now legendary timepiece debuted in 1945, as the original Datejust with reference 4467, honoring the brand’s 40^th anniversary. Upon its post-war launch it was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch showcasing a date window on the dial. For almost a century, the Datejust has been an instant classic. The 16014 model was in production from 1977 to 1988.

The Watch

This Rolex Datejust 16014 from 1978 in stainless steel has a very rare blue ‘Buckley’ dial, featuring its signature printed Roman numerals in contrasting classic white with luminescent dots above. The Buckley dial, named after the renowned vintage watch dealer John Buckley in New York (who had a love for the scarcely crafted dial, despite its lack of popularity at the time), is mostly found on vintage Datejust models from the seventies and eighties – the 16014 was one of the few styles favorited to depict it.

This rare blue Rolex dial features white hands with vintage tritium markers, indicated by the T Swiss T emblem below the VI-numeral on the dial. The double T here on the dial refers to the radioactive isotope of hydrogen called tritium, being used in the past as the energy source in radioluminescent lights for wrist watches, before it was replaced by luminova and later on super luminova.

The stainless steel case with white gold flutter bezel has a diameter of 36mm excluding the winding crown. The watch dial showcases a second hand, an outer minute/seconds track in white and aperture for the date. An anti-reflective cyclops lens over the date window enhances ease of reading. The case, dial, movement, crown and folding clasp of the steel jubilee bracelet are Rolex signed. The mythical watch has the original Rolex back sticker still on its caseback.

The Movement

The Datejust 16014 houses the automatically wound Rolex 3035 caliber, which boasts a high frequency rating of 28,800 beats per hour instead of the 19,800 beats per hour in former models. This translates into higher accuracy. On top of that, the 3035 movement was the first Datejust caliber that incorporated a fast date change facility, known today as the quickset feature of this timeless watch, requiring just a simple turning of the crown to set the date, without involvement of the center hands. 

Condition

This Rolex Datejust 16014 is in mint condition – as new, yet dating back to 1978 – and has excellent mechanical functionality. It comes as a full set, with its original Rolex box and complementing papers (including official warranty paper).

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment.