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Daan de Groot’s leading Datejust pick is a white-dial, full-gold ref. 16078, but only by a slight margin—and he is not planning to buy one now. In his August 5, 2025 Fratello article, the watch he wants remains a personal, provisional choice shaped by his past experience, preferred 36 mm size, and competing ideas of what a Datejust should look like.
Why De Groot is still looking for his Datejust
De Groot previously owned a vintage Datejust ref. 1603 with a blue pie-pan dial and Jubilee bracelet. He sold it after a few months. His reasons were personal: he was uneasy about the plexiglass crystal’s fragility and did not enjoy the bracelet’s loose, jangly feel. That account describes his experience with his watch, not a general assessment of every ref. 1603 or every vintage bracelet.
One preference, however, is clear. “One thing’s for sure: If I ever buy a Rolex Datejust again, it has to be the 36mm version.” De Groot says his 36 mm Explorer ref. 114270 feels right on his 17 cm wrist. That gives his Datejust search a firm size constraint, while leaving the material, dial, and finish open.
How his Datejust candidates compare
| Reference | Configuration or appeal in De Groot’s account | Role in his choice |
|---|---|---|
| Datejust 1603 | Vintage watch with a blue pie-pan dial and Jubilee bracelet; De Groot disliked the plexiglass fragility and the bracelet’s jangly feel. | Former watch he sold after a few months. |
| Datejust 126234 | Green palm dial, steel Oyster case, and Jubilee bracelet; a more playful-looking option that he sees as suited to summer. | Modern-leaning candidate. The 2025 article described it as recent and discontinued at that time; that does not establish its current catalog status. |
| Datejust 1601 | Full-gold configuration with leaf hands. | Candidate, not his leading pick. |
| Datejust 16018 | Silver dial. | Candidate, not his leading pick. |
| Datejust 16078 | Full gold, with a bark-finished bezel and Jubilee center links; the white dial is the version that stands out to him. | His slight front-runner, not a definitive or technical verdict. |
| Oysterquartz | Prompted by a Buckley-dial example he had seen. | A speculative alternative rather than a selected purchase. |
Why the white-dial 16078 edges ahead
The 16078 brings together the details that presently appeal most to De Groot: a full-gold look, a distinctive bark-finished bezel, Jubilee center links, and a white dial. It is not the only Datejust configuration he likes. The green palm-dial 126234 offers a more playful contrast, while the 1601 and 16018 show that he is also weighing other gold-and-dial combinations.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The choice is about taste rather than a demonstrated technical advantage. De Groot’s account provides no comparative durability testing, comprehensive specifications, prices, or market ranking for these references. It also does not establish whether any particular watch is currently available to buy.
Oysterquartz after all?
De Groot leaves room for an Oysterquartz, mentioning one after seeing an example with a Buckley dial. But it remains an aside, not a settled plan. He says he is happy with his Explorer and does not expect to add a Datejust alongside it for now.
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 the article leaves open
The 2025 piece framed the Datejust’s 80th anniversary as part of its context; that anniversary framing does not indicate a current release or say anything about present-day stock. Rolex’s official Datejust page provides manufacturer product context, but does not establish availability for these vintage references or validate De Groot’s personal preferences. His account ultimately points to a possible favorite, not a purchase announcement: the 36 mm white-dial 16078 is ahead for now, while the decision itself remains open.
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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