Rolex Datejust 36 Yellow Gold — White Dial, Fluted Bezel, Index Markers | Ref. 116138

Reference 116138 is a full yellow gold Datejust 36 — a configuration that sits at the heart of Rolex's prestige calendar watch tradition. The 116xxx generation preceded the current 126xxx series and is fitted with Calibre 3135, the movement that powered the Datejust for decades and earned near-universal respect for its reliability and precision. A white dial with applied index markers presents the cleanest possible reading surface, allowing the yellow gold case and fluted bezel to carry the visual weight without competition from elaborate dial decoration.

Calibre 3135 is a self-winding movement with a bidirectional rotor, Parachrom hairspring, and Glucydur balance — delivering Superlative Chronometer accuracy of ±2 seconds per day. The 36 mm case in 18-carat yellow gold carries Rolex's Oyster construction: a one-piece middle case with screwed-down crown and case back, water resistant to 100 metres. The fluted bezel — historically machined from solid gold — adds both torsional rigidity to the case and visual distinction that has made the Datejust recognisable across generations. The Jubilee bracelet in yellow gold is the appropriate companion, balancing the dressy character of the dial.

The full yellow gold Datejust 36 in the 116xxx series holds a compelling position in the used market: it carries meaningful intrinsic gold value, is powered by a proven and serviceable movement, and occupies the 36 mm case size that has enjoyed a significant collector renaissance. White dial index variants are the most versatile — compatible with a wide range of dress and business contexts — and retain broad demand. For buyers who want a yellow gold Datejust with decades of service life ahead, the 116138 delivers Rolex quality at a more accessible price point than its 126xxx successor.