Rolex Datejust 36 Yellow Rolesor — Champagne Jubilee Diamond Dial with Cut Diamond Bezel | Ref. 116243

Reference 116243 presents the Datejust 36 in Yellow Rolesor — an Oystersteel case paired with 18-carat yellow gold bezel and crown — configured here with a cut diamond bezel and a champagne dial set with Jubilee diamond hour markers. The 36 mm Datejust occupies a foundational position in Rolex's history: this is the case size on which the original 1945 Datejust was built, and the 116xxx series carried that heritage through to the mid-2010s before the 126xxx generation succeeded it. The diamond bezel, set with brilliant-cut stones in an 18-carat gold mounting, replaces the traditional fluted format while maintaining the bezel's visual prominence.

The 116243 is driven by Calibre 3135, the self-winding movement that powered the 36mm Datejust for decades before the introduction of the 3235. Calibre 3135 features a Parachrom Bleu hairspring, Glucydur balance wheel, and bidirectional Perpetual rotor delivering a 48-hour power reserve. Certified to Superlative Chronometer standards at ±2 seconds per day, the movement remains one of the most proven calibres in Rolex's catalogue. The Oyster case is waterproof to 100 metres. The Jubilee bracelet — designed specifically for the Datejust in 1945 — accompanies this reference, its five-piece links offering a flexible and formally appropriate fit.

On the secondary market, 116243 examples with diamond bezels and champagne dials represent a well-established collector category. The champagne dial's warm, amber-toned ground works in natural harmony with yellow gold components, creating a coherent colour story across the full piece. Buyers in this segment often prioritise wearability and completeness of visual presentation over novelty, and the 116243 consistently satisfies on both counts.