A white-gold Rolex Datejust with a burl wood dial is documented in auction catalogues as a vintage reference 16019, circa 1978. Phillips describes an 18K white-gold, 36 mm example with a burl wood dial and automatic calibre 3035; Christie’s separately catalogues a circa-1978 18K white-gold reference 16019 with a wood dial and the same movement. These are records of specific watches, not proof that every 16019 has this dial.
What the auction records document
The clearest match for this configuration is the Datejust reference 16019. Phillips catalogues its example as an 18K white-gold watch with a 36 mm case, a dial it identifies as burl wood, and automatic calibre 3035. The catalogue reports a sale result of HK$342,900 for that individual lot; the record does not establish the sale year, a current valuation, or a typical market price. Phillips lot 863.
Christie’s separately describes a circa-1978 18K white-gold reference 16019 with a wood dial, a 36 mm case and calibre 3035. Its description corroborates the general wood-dial configuration, while Phillips is the record that specifically calls its dial burl wood. Christie’s catalogue record.
How it differs from a current Datejust 36
The current Rolex Datejust 36 reference 126234 is a useful comparison, not the same configuration. Rolex calls its case material White Rolesor, combining Oystersteel and white gold, and lists a silver dial for the cited example. The 16019 auction examples, by contrast, are described as solid 18K white gold with wood dials.
| Detail | Vintage reference 16019 in auction records | Current reference 126234 example on Rolex’s site |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | 18K white gold, according to Phillips and Christie’s | White Rolesor: Oystersteel and white gold, according to Rolex |
| Dial | Phillips specifies burl wood; Christie’s says wood | Silver |
| Case size | 36 mm in both auction records | 36 mm |
| Movement | Automatic calibre 3035 in both auction records | Self-winding calibre 3235 |
Specifications in the vintage column describe the catalogued lots; they should not be treated as guaranteed specifications for every watch bearing reference 16019. See Rolex’s Datejust 36 reference 126234 page for the current comparison.
Why the Datejust is recognizable
Rolex’s official newsroom says: “At its launch in 1945, it was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock on the dial – hence its name.” Rolex Newsroom: The Rolex Datejust Models.
Rank #2
- Imported
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Minor scratches and wear on case and band.
- Case Size/Width: 36mm, Watch Height: 12mm, Band Width: 20mm, Wrist circumference: 7.0"
- Band material: Stainless steel with 18k yellow gold.
- Case material: Stainless Steel
What to verify before buying one
A catalogue entry establishes that an example was described and offered; it does not establish that a watch currently advertised is available, correctly described, or authentic. A seller’s use of the phrase “burl wood” is not, by itself, evidence that the dial is original to the watch.
- Compare the reference and case details with available records for the specific watch.
- Ask for documentation of the movement and case, along with service history.
- Request evidence of the dial’s provenance and an independent inspection by a qualified vintage-watch specialist.
The catalogue descriptions use rarity language, but no population count or market-wide rarity estimate is established by these records. Treat any rarity claim as the auction house’s characterization, not as a measured count.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Light scratching and scuffing throughout hardware
- Length: , Height: , Depth:
- Made in Switzerland
- Oyster clasp closure
- Signature upon delivery required
Rank #4
- Imported
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Scratches and minor wear on case and band.
- Case Size/Width: 26mm, Watch Height: 11mm, Band Width: 13mm, Wrist circumference: 5.5"
- Band material: Stainless steel with 18k yellow gold.
- Case material: Stainless Steel
Rank #3
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Light scratching and wear throughout watch
- Length: , Height: , Depth:
- Made in Switzerland
- Oyster clasp closure
- Signature upon delivery required
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