Circa 1989 Rolex DateJust Two-Tone Ref. 16233

First introduced in 1945, the Rolex DateJust has long served as the brand’s everyday standard—simple, and adaptable for all occasions. The late-80s reference 16233 marks the point where the DateJust transitioned fully into the modern Rolex era, with features such as a sapphire crystal and a quickset date.

This 1989 example comes in a super sharp color scheme, a two-tone case with a fluted yellow gold bezel and a rich blue dial, which pair particularly well with the warmth of the gold accents. The dial furniture and printing remain crisp, and the sapphire crystal is spotless. It’s currently paired with a tan “rally” style leather strap, which gives the watch an unexpectedly relaxed and sporty character.

Condition-wise, this 16233 tells a story collectors like to see. There is surface wear throughout, consistent with careful use over the decades, but with no indication of a past polish, the lugs remain sharp and defined. Notably, the green case-back sticker is still present, which is an increasingly rare detail that speaks to how lightly this watch has been handled over the years. Inside is the Rolex Caliber 3135, one of the brand’s most respected automatic movements—often cited as a benchmark for modern Rolex engineering, because it served as the template for decades of Rolex movements across six product lines.

Overall, this two-tone DateJust offers a versatile, vintage style which appears neither overly dressy nor purpose-built utilitarian.

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