The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What watch did Patrick Bateman wear? In Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, Bateman is associated with a two-tone Rolex Datejust 16013 on a Jubilee bracelet, according to British GQ. The film is different: GQ later corrected its identification and reported that Christian Bale wore a two-tone Seiko 5 SNXJ90, not a Rolex. “Bateman’s Datejust” describes the novel’s association and the character’s image—not the watch shown on screen.
Which watch is Patrick Bateman’s: a Rolex or a Seiko?
The answer depends on whether you mean the novel or the film. GQ identifies the Rolex associated with the novel as a two-tone Datejust 16013 on a Jubilee bracelet. For the film, GQ’s correction identifies Bale’s watch as a Seiko 5 SNXJ90. The two watches are not interchangeable identifications: the film prop is not a Rolex Datejust.
That distinction matters if you are searching for a “Patrick Bateman Rolex.” A Datejust 16013 is the reference tied to the novel’s Bateman; a Seiko 5 SNXJ90 is the reported screen watch for film accuracy. These identifications come from GQ’s editorial reporting, rather than a primary production archive.
What is the Rolex Datejust 16013?
The 16013 is a vintage Datejust reference associated with Bateman in the novel. GQ describes the configuration as two-tone, with a Jubilee bracelet. That is the useful starting point for identification, but a reference alone does not establish the details, condition, authenticity, or service history of any particular watch offered for sale.
When comparing a listing with the novel-associated watch, check the reference and the specific configuration shown by the seller: metal, dial, bezel, and bracelet. Ask for clear photographs and documentation relating to service and replaced parts. Rolex says that only official Rolex retailers are permitted to sell and maintain its watches; an online listing or seller’s description does not itself authenticate a vintage watch.
Why the Datejust became a classic
Rolex dates the Datejust’s launch to 1945. The original model combined a self-winding mechanism and chronometer certification with a date displayed in a window at 3 o’clock. The now-familiar Cyclops lens was added later, in 1953, and Rolex says the date change became instantaneous in 1956. Those features belong to the model’s development over time, not all to its launch configuration.
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
The Datejust’s lasting identity rests on a practical combination: a wristwatch with a calendar date, a prominent display at 3 o’clock, and a design that has evolved across generations. That history helps explain why the model remains recognizable, but it does not make every Datejust configuration identical to the vintage 16013 associated with Bateman.
How the vintage 16013 differs from a current Datejust
Rolex currently offers Datejust models in 36, 31, and 41 mm sizes. As one modern example, Rolex’s US page for the Datejust 36 reference 126234 describes a 36 mm Oystersteel and white-gold watch with a fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet. Rolex lists 100 m water resistance, calibre 3235, and approximately 70 hours of power reserve for that configuration. These are current-model specifications, not specifications for the vintage 16013.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
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
| Option | What it represents | Configuration or specifications established here | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Rolex Datejust 16013 | The Rolex reference associated with Bateman in the novel | GQ reports a two-tone model on a Jubilee bracelet | Specific dial, metal and bracelet details; authenticity; condition; service history; replaced parts |
| Current Rolex Datejust 36, reference 126234 | A modern Datejust example, not the vintage Bateman-associated reference | 36 mm; Oystersteel and white gold; fluted bezel; Jubilee bracelet; 100 m water resistance; calibre 3235; about 70 hours of power reserve, per Rolex’s US model page | Current availability and specifications on Rolex’s page for the exact configuration |
| Seiko 5 SNXJ90 | The watch GQ reports Bale wore in the film | GQ identifies it as a two-tone Seiko 5 | Listing identity, condition and availability; it is not a Rolex Datejust |
Rolex’s current Datejust range and its page for the Datejust 36 reference 126234 are useful for understanding present-day options. They do not establish the configuration or condition of a vintage 16013 listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before buying a vintage Datejust
A vintage watch should be assessed as an individual watch, not just by its reference number or resemblance to a character’s watch. Before purchasing, establish what is being offered and who is responsible for its condition.
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
- Reference and configuration: Confirm that the listing identifies the watch as a 16013, then check the pictured metal, dial, bezel and bracelet rather than assuming every example matches the novel-associated description.
- Condition and service: Request a clear account of the watch’s condition, service history, and any replaced parts. The available sources do not authenticate individual listings.
- Seller and maintenance: Rolex says only official Rolex retailers are permitted to sell and maintain Rolex watches. If authenticity or serviceability is uncertain, seek an assessment through an official retailer.
- Purpose: Decide whether you want the novel-associated Rolex, a modern Datejust, or the reported Seiko film prop. Each answers a different collecting interest.
Vintage availability, condition, and seller terms vary by listing. No asking price or seller claim can be established from the model reference alone.
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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
