Rolex Datejust 16234

By 1988, the year Rolex released the ref. 162XX series of their all-conquering Datejust, the model had been in production for more than 40-years.

During that time it had gone from brand flagship to being viewed as something of the venerable statesman in the portfolio.

Its tonneau-shaped Oyster case had become an iconic part of the horology landscape and its date complication, a revolutionary world-first on its launch in 1945, was now as emblematic as the coronet logo.

The ref. 16234 was one of the more important references in the range, bridging that gap between everyday wear and dress piece, a trick that has long been the Datejust's calling card. If the Day-Date President is Rolex's elite offering, its older sibling is very much a watch of the people.

Today, it is among the most versatile visuals in the model's extremely long chronicle; as classic a silhouette as watchmaking offers, but powered by modern technology and with nearly every convenience present in the contemporary range.

The Tapestry dial, mounted in this DJ, is also a '60s baby from the Rolex archives, though one not quite as common as the Linen dial often seen.

It's also a fairly simple in design, as thin vertical ridges are cut into the dial surface, giving it a slightly three-dimensional vibe.