Introduction
Introduced in 1945 to celebrate Rolex's 40th anniversary, the Datejust has become one of the manufacture's most enduring designs. Combining the practicality of an automatically changing date display with the robustness of an Oyster case, it established a formula that Rolex has continued to refine for more than eight decades. The ref. 16013 represents one of the quintessential expressions of the model, combining stainless steel and 18k yellow gold with a fluted bezel, Jubilee bracelet and the automatic calibre 3035.
Dating to 1985, however, this example is anything but a conventional ref. 16013. Its case and bracelet have been extensively hand-carved with a distinctive bark-like texture commonly associated with watches customised by John Bull, Rolex's official retailer in the Bahamas. During the 1980s, John Bull offered this type of hand-finishing to clients, with the work undertaken by master watchmaker Günter Miethe. Although there is no accompanying provenance to establish that the present watch was definitively modified by John Bull, the style of its hand-carved decoration closely follows these distinctive period examples.
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Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$3,000 – $5,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
36mm
Model
Datejust
Movement
Automatic cal. 3035
Reference
16013
Bracelet
Stainless steel and 18k yellow gold Jubilee bracelet
Year
1985
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel and 18k yellow gold
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
The black dial provides a restrained backdrop to an otherwise highly distinctive watch, with applied gold hour markers, matching hands and the signature Datejust date aperture beneath its Cyclops magnifier.
THE CONSTRUCTION
What distinguishes this ref. 16013 is its extensive hand-carved bark-style decoration, a finish strongly associated with Rolex retailer John Bull in the Bahamas during the 1980s.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case retains a well-defined bark finish, with surface scratches to the case sides and case back. The yellow gold bezel shows some softening around the edges. The dial is in near-mint condition, with crisp printing and intact lume plots. The hands remain clean. It is fitted with a solid-link Jubilee bracelet retaining a well-defined bark finish to the steel sections. The yellow gold sections show some surface scratches, and there is light play between the links. The bracelet is fitted with 19 links, 2 of which are removable, and fits approximately a 7” wrist. There is 1 spare link included.
Our Perspective
Rolex watches customised by important retailers form a fascinating niche within vintage collecting, and the distinctive hand-carved watches associated with John Bull are among the most recognisable. Without documentary provenance, this example cannot definitively be attributed to the Bahamian retailer, but its elaborate bark-style treatment is strongly evocative of the work undertaken there during the 1980s. The result transforms an otherwise familiar two-tone Datejust into something considerably more unusual and individual.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
