Rolex
Datejust II
116300
The Datejust scaled up — 41 mm of Oystersteel dress-watch authority.
An estimate from current market data — not an offer. Your actual value depends on condition, completeness, and authentication.
Get an instant offerFree insured shipping. Paid within 48 hours of inspection.
Overview
The Rolex Datejust II, reference 116300, represents Rolex's mid-2000s decision to offer the storied Datejust line in a larger, more contemporary 41 mm case. Produced in Oystersteel and powered by the in-house Calibre 3136, it bridges the classic dress-watch heritage of the Datejust with the proportions that defined early-21st-century tastes. Dial options spanning silver, blue, and black gave collectors meaningful variety within a single reference.
History
The Datejust II was introduced in 2009 as a direct response to the broader industry shift toward larger case diameters, positioning itself between the standard 36 mm Datejust and the sportier Day-Date 40. Reference 116300 occupied that role throughout its production run before Rolex consolidated the line with the introduction of the Datejust 41 (ref. 126300), which succeeded it in 2016. During its years in the catalogue, the 116300 established a loyal following among collectors who valued the Datejust's dress credentials in a wrist presence more in keeping with contemporary sizing conventions.
Notable points
- Calibre 3136 movement features a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers, offering enhanced resistance to shocks and magnetic fields.
- The 41 mm Oystersteel case was a deliberate departure from the long-established 36 mm standard of the classic Datejust, reflecting shifting collector preferences.
- Reference 116300 was produced from 2009 to 2016, giving it a focused, clearly defined production window that aids authentication and dating.
- Dial variety — including silver, blue, and black executions — allowed the reference to suit both formal and business-casual contexts.
- The 116300 was succeeded by the Datejust 41 (ref. 126300), which introduced the Calibre 3235 and further refinements, making the earlier reference a distinct collector chapter in its own right.
