Choose the case first. The 41 is where the newest Datejusts sit here, and most of them come with the Rolex card and a year. The 36 is the classic size and sold more often in the year, though most of ours are older watches without the card. Then pick the dial you want to look at every day. Watches are final sale, so clear every doubt with the desk before paying.
36 or 41: Rolex Datejust 36mm vs 41mm on a man's wrist
Take the 41 if you want the newest watch with its paperwork. Most of our 41s are current references, and most carry both the Rolex card and a year. Take the 36 for the classic men's Datejust, the size that sold more often here. Most of our 36s are older references that come as the watch alone, nearly all on the Jubilee. The 36 slips under a shirt cuff, and the 41 fills a bigger wrist. Every 36 also shows on our women's Datejust page.
The reference: Datejust 16233, 116233 or 126334, which generation
Read the reference before the year, since it tells you the generation. Most Datejusts for sale here name one. A five-digit reference, like the 16233, is the older watch, made into the early 2000s. Six digits starting 116 came next. Starting 126, it is the current Datejust, made in the 41 since 2016. A 41 with a 1163 reference is the Datejust II, the first case in that size. Many of our 36s carry five digits, and no 41 does. The last two digits usually name the metal and the bezel.
The dial: champagne, blue, black or Wimbledon Datejust dials
Take champagne if you want the safe dial. It was the one bought most here, more than a quarter of the Datejusts sold. Stick markers sold far ahead of Roman numerals. The Wimbledon is slate with green Roman numerals, and most of ours are on the bigger case. A few diamond watches for sale say the setting is aftermarket, set after the factory. On the others, ask us before you pay.
Metal and bezel: steel, two-tone yellow or Everose Datejust, fluted or smooth
Take two-tone yellow gold for the Datejust most people picture. More than half the Datejusts bought here were two-tone yellow, and steel came second. Everose, Rolex's rose gold, pairs with steel on some of ours, mostly 41s. The fluted bezel sits on nearly every one. Even on the steel watch it is gold, white gold that catches light without color. A few 41s wear the plainer smooth bezel. The bigger case comes on the Jubilee or the flat three-link Oyster, mostly the Jubilee.
Card and final sale: Datejust box and papers, and how to buy one here
About half the Datejusts for sale here come with the Rolex card or papers, most of them 41s. Where the card comes along, the year listed is usually the one printed on it. Most 36s state no year, so ask the desk how one was dated. The watch team inspects each watch in person before it lists. The box is an add-on on nearly every one. Watches are final sale under our refund policy, so settle every question with the desk first. A watch in stock ships tracked, as a rule within two to five business days.
Questions we get in the store
Datejust 36 or 41: which should a man buy?
Buy the 41 if you want a current reference with its Rolex card, since most of ours have one. Buy the 36 for the classic size and a softer look on the wrist. It sold more often here, mostly in two-tone.
What is the difference between a 16233 and a 116233?
Both are the two-tone Datejust 36, one generation apart. The five-digit 16233 is the older watch, made into the early 2000s, and the 116233 took its place. Both sold well here, so choose by the dial and what comes with the watch.
How much should I pay for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust?
Each listing prints its own price. The case and metal move it: 36 or 41, steel or two-tone. So do the reference, the year, factory or aftermarket diamonds and whether the Rolex card comes along. Ask the desk in the live chat, or call 212-872-9692 from 10 AM ET.
More questions we get
Does a pre-owned Datejust come with box and papers?
About half come with the Rolex card or papers. On nearly every one, the box is an add-on. The card comes with most of our 41s and few 36s, and most listings say which. Ask the desk to add the box before you pay.
Is the fluted bezel on a Datejust gold?
Yes. On a modern Datejust the fluted bezel is gold, white gold on the steel watch and yellow or Everose on two-tone. Nearly every Datejust for sale here wears one, and a few 41s wear a smooth bezel instead.
Are the diamonds on these Datejusts factory or aftermarket?
A few diamond Datejusts for sale here say in the listing that the setting is aftermarket, custom work done after the factory. The other diamond pieces say neither, so ask us before you buy, and we tell you exactly what is on your wrist.
Jubilee or Oyster bracelet on a Datejust?
Take the Jubilee for the dressier Datejust look, since its five small links curve around the wrist. The Oyster's three flat links read plainer and sportier. Nearly every 36 we have comes on a Jubilee, and the 41 comes on either one.
Is a Datejust II the same as a Datejust 41?
Not quite. Both are 41 mm, but the Datejust II came first and the Datejust 41 replaced it. A reference starting 1163 is the Datejust II. Several of our 41s are one, and some are titled Datejust 41mm, so go by the reference.
Can I return a Datejust?
No. Watches are final sale, and our refund policy lists them as non-returnable. So settle every question first. Put the reference, the card and the bracelet fit to the desk on the live chat, or text those to 212-872-9692 from 10 AM ET.