A cornerstone of the Rolex collection from its very origins, the Rolex Datejust is a name that speaks for itself. Introduced in 1945, it not only celebrated the brand's 40th anniversary but also introduced the revolutionary concept of an automatic date-change mechanism. Undoubtedly, the Datejust holds the distinction of being the most recognisable and favoured timepiece around the world. This reputation is largely owed to its superlative quality, craftsmanship, and relatively reasonable price point, consistently affirming the Datejust as a prudent and compelling selection.
Over the years, Rolex has introduced a vast array of dial and case variations for the Datejust. While many of these are relatively accessible, some versions feature rare dials and case configurations, and even fewer qualify as the highly coveted "holy grails" among collectors. The Datejust 16019 in 18-carat white gold presented here firmly belongs to that category, distinguished not only by one of the most sought-after stone dials in the Rolex catalogue—lapis lazuli—but also by its elusive white gold case, which is hardly seen in the wild. Without further ado, let’s dive into what makes this Datejust truly unique.
For those who may not be familiar with this material, lapis lazuli is a striking natural stone that has been cherished for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Renowned for its deep, celestial blue colour and speckled with shimmering golden pyrite inclusions, lapis lazuli is a special stone that offers a unique and luxurious aesthetic that cannot be replicated by synthetic materials. When used as a watch dial—particularly in a timepiece as iconic as the Rolex Datejust—it transforms the watch into something far more than a functional accessory; it becomes a wearable piece of art. Each dial is inherently one-of-a-kind due to the natural variation in the stone, making every example subtly different. Today, it is a perennial favourite amongst watch collectors, and it is not hard to see why.
Historically, the Day-Date serves as Rolex's creative canvas for exploring and experimenting with the use of precious stone dials. Encasing such dials in a precious metal Datejust, as seen in this example, is relatively uncommon. The design approach taken here is gracefully straightforward: customary hour markers typically found on a Datejust have been deliberately omitted, creating ample negative space that allows the brilliance of the deep blue lapis lazuli dial to take centre stage. To complete the set, the stone dial on this example here finds harmony with an 18-carat white gold case, fitted with a fluted bezel and a Presidential bracelet, a truly classy and impeccable combination, if I may say so myself.
I believe it’s also important for us to emphasise just how rare it is to find a lapis dial Datejust 16019 in white gold. For those unfamiliar, the “9” at the end of its reference number indicates this metal. While we have offered several similar examples in yellow gold over the years, this is the first time we’re presenting one in this metal, as variants like this are significantly more uncommon, with only a handful known to exist. Additional distinguishing details include a matching white date wheel, date window frame, as well as white text on the dial, all of which are subtle yet telling features found exclusively on lapis dials made to be encased in white gold cases like these.
As far as movement goes, housed within its conservative 36mm case is the famous self-winding, in-house Rolex Cal. 3035, which was also the first Datejust movement to feature a quick date change mechanism.
I think it goes without saying that a watch like this is nothing short of exceptional and would make a standout addition to any discerning collector’s watch box. Having handled many remarkable stone dial Rolex models over the years, I’d go so far as to say that lapis lazuli dials rank among the most coveted and visually striking variants the brand has ever produced. The fact that this example comes fitted in an extremely rare white gold case makes it all the more compelling in its own right.
That said, with a piece of this calibre, words often fall short in capturing the true depth and beauty of the dial, so instead, I am going to let the images speak for themselves.
