Rolex Datejust 116264

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About the Rolex Datejust 116264

The Rolex Datejust 116264 is the discontinued final-generation Datejust Turn-O-Graph, better known to collectors as the Rolex Thunderbird, defined by its 36mm stainless steel case, bidirectional rotating 18k white gold fluted bezel, and distinctive red second hand and red date display. Powered by the Caliber 3135 movement and produced from approximately the mid-2000s through the early 2010s, the 116264 is the direct successor to the five-digit 16264 and the final Thunderbird reference Rolex produced before discontinuing the line. The Turn-O-Graph traces back to the 1953 reference 6202, Rolex's first rotating-bezel sports watch and the watch adopted by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic squadron. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116264 watches across a range of factory dial configurations including white, black, blue, and silver index, on both the Jubilee and Oyster bracelets.

Rolex Datejust 116264 Specifications and Configurations

The 116264 is built around a 36mm Oyster case in stainless steel with no lug holes through the case sides (a modern construction change from the five-digit predecessor), a bidirectional rotating bezel in 18k white gold with a fluted design and 0-60 calibration, a screw down Twinlock crown, scratch resistant sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and 100 meters of water resistance. Inside is the Rolex Caliber 3135, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date and approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The dial features applied bar indices, the signature red second hand, and the red date display that distinguish the 116264 from every other Datejust in the catalog. Buyers choose between the Rolex Jubilee bracelet (five link, the dressier traditional Datejust pairing) and the Rolex Oyster bracelet (three link, the sportier Turn-O-Graph default), both crafted with solid links and solid end links (SEL) for a notably heavier feel than the hollow-link predecessor. For broader 36mm Datejust context across all generations, browse our midsize Rolex collection and the full Rolex Datejust collection.

Rolex Datejust 116264 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116264 prices typically range from approximately $7,500 to $11,500 or more depending on dial, bracelet, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Standard white and black index dials on the Oyster bracelet sit at the lower end of the range. Less common dials like blue and silver trade in the middle of the range. Pristine unworn examples with original box and papers, sharp case lines, and full sets command the top of the range. The 116264 typically trades at a modest premium to the five-digit 16264 predecessor because of the modern construction (solid bracelet links, SuperLuminova, updated case finishing), but both references trade in a similar band. As a discontinued reference with strong Thunderbird heritage and a unique rotating-bezel construction at this price tier, the 116264 has held value well on the secondary market. For broader context across the wider 36mm Datejust catalog, see the standard fluted-bezel sister Rolex Datejust 116234 and the smooth-bezel sister Rolex Datejust 116200.

Rolex Datejust 116264 vs 16264: Six-Digit vs Five-Digit Turn-O-Graph

The 116264 and the Rolex Datejust 16264 are direct successor and predecessor in the Turn-O-Graph "Thunderbird" line, sharing the same 36mm steel case, Caliber 3135 movement, sapphire crystal, and rotating white gold bezel concept. The 116264 introduces the modern six-digit construction with no lug holes drilled through the case sides, a solid-link bracelet with solid end links (SEL), a redesigned fluted-style rotating bezel, applied bar indices with the distinctive red second hand and red date display, and SuperLuminova lume on the dial. The 16264 retains the classic five-digit construction with lug holes, a hollow-link bracelet, an engine-turned style rotating bezel, and earlier examples carry tritium lume. The 116264 wears slightly heavier on the wrist because of the solid bracelet links and feels more modern overall, while the 16264 retains a thinner profile that many vintage-leaning collectors prefer. The 116264 typically trades at a modest premium to the 16264 because of the modern construction. For the two-tone yellow gold bezel predecessor, see the Rolex Datejust 16263.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 116264 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116264 for sale at WatchGuys, every piece is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers, priced against live secondary market data, and backed by a comprehensive set of buyer protections. We have spent over three decades focused on pre-owned Rolex, with deep expertise in the Turn-O-Graph references and the rotating-bezel authentication nuances that matter on this specific line.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 116264 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 116264?

  The Rolex Datejust 116264 is the discontinued final-generation Datejust Turn-O-Graph, also known as the Rolex Thunderbird, a 36mm stainless steel Datejust with a bidirectional rotating 18k white gold fluted bezel, distinctive red second hand and red date display, and the Caliber 3135 movement. It was produced from approximately the mid-2000s through the early 2010s and is the direct successor to the five-digit 16264. The Turn-O-Graph line is Rolex's original rotating-bezel design, introduced in 1953 with the reference 6202 and adopted by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic squadron, from which the Thunderbird nickname comes.

• What is the Rolex Turn-O-Graph or Thunderbird?

  The Rolex Turn-O-Graph is a Datejust variant with a bidirectional rotating bezel that can be used as a basic timing tool. It was the first rotating-bezel Rolex, introduced in 1953 with reference 6202 and predating the Submariner and GMT-Master. The Thunderbird nickname comes from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic squadron, which adopted the Turn-O-Graph as official flight gear during the 1950s and authorized Rolex to use the squadron's imagery in marketing. The line continued through the 16263 and 16264 in the five-digit era and was concluded with the 116264 in the early 2010s.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 116264 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116264 prices typically range from approximately $7,500 to $11,500 or more depending on the dial, bracelet, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Standard white and black index dials on the Oyster bracelet sit at the lower end. Less common dials like blue and silver trade in the middle of the range. Pristine unworn examples with original box and papers, sharp case lines, and full sets command the top of the range. The 116264 has held value well as a discontinued reference with strong Thunderbird heritage.

• Rolex Datejust 116264 vs 16264: what is the difference?

  The 116264 and the 16264 are direct successor and predecessor in the Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird line, sharing the same 36mm steel case, Caliber 3135 movement, sapphire crystal, and rotating white gold bezel concept. The 116264 introduces the modern six-digit construction with no lug holes, a solid-link bracelet with solid end links (SEL), a redesigned fluted-style rotating bezel, applied bar indices with red second hand and red date display, and SuperLuminova on the dial. The 16264 retains the classic five-digit construction with lug holes, a hollow-link bracelet, and an engine-turned style rotating bezel. The 116264 typically trades at a modest premium because of the modern construction.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 116264?

  The Rolex Datejust 116264 is powered by the Rolex Caliber 3135, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date and approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The Caliber 3135 beats at 28,800 vph and is the same workhorse movement used in the contemporary 116234 Datejust, 116200 Datejust, 16264 Thunderbird predecessor, and Submariner 16610 of the same generation. It is widely regarded as one of the most reliable Rolex movements ever produced and was eventually replaced by the modern Caliber 3235 with 70-hour power reserve in the current six-digit 126xxx Datejust generation.

• When was the Rolex Datejust 116264 discontinued?

  The Rolex Datejust 116264 was produced from approximately the mid-2000s through the early 2010s, when Rolex discontinued the entire Turn-O-Graph line. The 116264 was the final Thunderbird reference Rolex produced, and no direct successor was introduced in the modern Caliber 3235 generation that replaced the Caliber 3135 across the rest of the Datejust catalog. This makes the 116264 the closing chapter of a Rolex sub-line that began in 1953 with the reference 6202, and a meaningful collector reference for buyers interested in discontinued modern Rolex sports references.

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