Rolex Datejust 116300

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 116300

The Rolex Datejust 116300 is the all-Oystersteel reference of the Datejust II, produced from 2009 through 2016. When Rolex unveiled the 116300 alongside the 116333 (Yellow Rolesor) and 116334 (Steel + White Gold) at Baselworld 2009, it was the first time in the model's history that the Datejust had ever been offered in a case size larger than 36mm. The 116300 features a 41mm Oyster case with a smooth polished steel bezel, a sapphire crystal, and the exclusive Caliber 3136 movement that was developed specifically for the Datejust II. As the most accessible of the three Datejust II references and one of the most affordable ways to own a 41mm Rolex on the secondary market, the 116300 sits at the entry point of the larger-format Datejust market. At WatchGuys, every Rolex Datejust 116300 listed in our Rolex watches collection is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers and ships with a 2-year warranty.

What Makes the Rolex Datejust 116300 Unique

The 116300 sits in a transitional chapter of Datejust history. For 64 years before its introduction, the Datejust had only ever been produced in a 36mm case. The Datejust II marked Rolex's first response to the broader watch market's shift toward larger cases, and the 116300 in particular delivered that larger format in the most accessible all-steel configuration. Several details distinguish the Datejust II from both its 36mm predecessors and the Datejust 41 successor that replaced it. Inside the case sits the Caliber 3136, a movement Rolex developed exclusively for the Datejust II. Based on the legendary Caliber 3135, the 3136 features a larger mainplate to accommodate the bigger date wheel, the proprietary blue Parachrom hairspring, and Paraflex shock absorbers for improved durability. The case has thicker, more angular lugs and a wider bezel profile than the modern Datejust 41, giving the 116300 a more substantial, sportier wrist presence. Crucially, every Datejust II was fitted exclusively with the Oyster bracelet. Rolex never offered the Datejust II on the Jubilee bracelet, which is one of the most consistent points of confusion between the Datejust II and the Datejust 41 that replaced it. Browse the full Rolex Datejust II collection for all three references in one place.

Rolex Datejust 116300 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116300 prices typically range from $7,500 to $10,000 depending on condition, dial, and accessories. Standard black, white, and silver index dial examples sit in the lower half of the range. Blue sunburst and Azzurro Roman dials trade at the upper end, with diamond dial variants reaching $10,000 to $11,000+. According to WatchCharts secondary market data, the 116300 has a market volatility of just 7.2%, lower than 85% of all watches tracked, indicating relatively stable pricing. However, unlike most modern Datejust references, the 116300 has not appreciated meaningfully on the secondary market in recent years, with prices effectively flat over the past five-year period. WatchCharts assigns a Risk score of 60/100 (High Risk), reflecting the more challenging short-term price predictability of this reference compared to other Datejust models. The honest framing here is that the 116300 is an accessibility play rather than an appreciation play. It offers buyers the most affordable entry into a 41mm Rolex Datejust on the secondary market, sitting well below the current-production Rolex Datejust 126300. For deeper context on Datejust II references and pricing, see our Rolex Datejust II buyer's guide.

Rolex 116300 vs. 126300 vs. Datejust II Family

Within the Datejust II family, the 116300 sits alongside two sibling references that share the same 41mm Oystersteel case, Caliber 3136 movement, sapphire crystal, and Oyster bracelet. The Rolex Datejust 116333 is the Yellow Rolesor variant, with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel, crown, and bracelet center links. The Rolex Datejust 116334 is the steel + white gold version, with an 18k white gold fluted bezel and an all-steel case and bracelet. The 116300 is the most affordable of the three, with the smooth polished steel bezel keeping the watch fully Oystersteel. Stepping forward, the Rolex Datejust 126300 is the current-production successor that replaced the 116300 in 2017. It shares the same 41mm diameter but features slimmer lugs, a thinner bezel, the new-generation Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve (versus 48 hours on the Caliber 3136), and the option of a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet. The 126300 wears noticeably more refined and trades at a meaningful premium, while the 116300 offers the chunkier Datejust II aesthetic at a lower price point.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 116300 From WatchGuys

Buying a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116300 for sale should be straightforward. Every 116300 we list is authenticated, photographed, and described in-house before it goes live.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 116300 FAQ

• What years was the Rolex Datejust 116300 produced?

  The Rolex Datejust 116300 was produced from 2009 through 2016, a roughly seven-year run. It was unveiled at Baselworld 2009 alongside the Datejust II 116333 (Yellow Rolesor) and 116334 (Steel and White Gold) as the first time the Datejust had ever been offered in a case size larger than 36mm. Rolex discontinued the entire Datejust II lineup in 2016 and replaced it with the Datejust 41, with the 116300 specifically succeeded by the 126300 in 2017. Production year on a specific 116300 can be confirmed by the warranty card date or estimated from the random serial number engraved on the rehaut between the dial and the crystal.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 116300 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 116300 prices typically range from $7,500 to $10,000 depending on condition, dial, and accessories. Standard black, white, and silver index dial examples sit in the lower half of the range. Blue sunburst and Azzurro Roman dials trade at the upper end, with diamond dial variants reaching $10,000 to $11,000+. According to WatchCharts secondary market data, the 116300 has a market volatility of just 7.2% (lower than 85% of all watches tracked), indicating relatively stable pricing. Unlike most modern Datejust references, the 116300 has not appreciated meaningfully over the past five years, so it is best understood as an accessibility play rather than an appreciation play.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 116300 and the Rolex 126300?

  Both are 41mm all-Oystersteel Datejust references with smooth polished steel bezels and the same 100 meters of water resistance. The Rolex 116300 is the discontinued Datejust II reference produced from 2009 through 2016, powered by the exclusive Caliber 3136 with a 48-hour power reserve, with thicker angular lugs and a wider bezel that gives the watch a more substantial wrist presence. The Rolex 126300 is the current-production Datejust 41 successor that replaced it in 2017, powered by the new-generation Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve, a Chronergy escapement, and slimmer lugs and bezel that give the watch a more refined profile. Crucially, the 126300 is available on either the Oyster or Jubilee bracelet, while the 116300 was only ever fitted with the Oyster bracelet. The 116300 trades at a meaningful discount on the secondary market versus the 126300, making it the more accessible way to own a 41mm Datejust.

• Is the Rolex 116300 the same as the Datejust II?

  The Rolex 116300 is one of three references in the Datejust II family, but it is not the only Datejust II. The Datejust II is the model name Rolex used for its first-ever 41mm Datejust, produced from 2009 through 2016. The lineup consisted of three references: the 116300 (all Oystersteel with a smooth polished bezel), the 116333 (Yellow Rolesor with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel), and the 116334 (Steel with an 18k white gold fluted bezel). All three share the same 41mm Oyster case, Caliber 3136 movement, sapphire crystal, and Oyster bracelet. The 116300 is the most affordable of the three and the only one without precious metal in the case or bezel.

• Can the Rolex 116300 be worn with a Jubilee bracelet?

  Rolex never offered the Datejust II on the Jubilee bracelet from the factory. All three Datejust II references (116300, 116333, and 116334) were fitted exclusively with the Oyster bracelet. This is one of the most consistent points of confusion between the Datejust II and the Datejust 41 that replaced it, as the Datejust 41 (126300, 126334, 126333, 126331) is offered with the choice of Jubilee or Oyster bracelets. Buyers who specifically want a 41mm Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet should look at the current-production Datejust 41 references rather than the Datejust II. Aftermarket Jubilee bracelets exist for the 116300, but they are not factory original and are not authenticated by Rolex.

• What is the Caliber 3136 movement?

  The Caliber 3136 is a self-winding mechanical movement that Rolex developed specifically for the Datejust II. Based on the legendary Caliber 3135, the 3136 features a larger mainplate to accommodate the bigger date wheel needed for the 41mm case, Rolex's proprietary blue Parachrom hairspring (which provides increased shock resistance and resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variations), and Paraflex shock absorbers for improved durability. It is COSC-certified as a Superlative Chronometer with a 48-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The Caliber 3136 was used exclusively in the Datejust II from 2009 through 2016, after which Rolex retired it in favor of the new-generation Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve when the Datejust 41 launched.

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