SOLD
rolex_datejust_162200-l344_awco-1rolex_datejust_162200-l344_awco-1

Rolex Datejust Ref. 16220 B+P+SP ‘porcelain’

If you’re looking to add a very special Datejust to your collection, here’s your watch.

This stunning Rolex 16220 features what is known as a “porcelain lacquered dial”. Porcelain you say? Well, yes and no. A unique process creates a high gloss smooth white surface that looks very much like procelain, but it’s not. It is actually a white lacquered dial with a transparent layer of zapon on top. The black text is printed on that transparent layer. In theory, this would give a 3D effect, but the layer is so thin that this can only be appreciated with a microscope, but that’s not really the point.

The point is that this Rolex dial has been produced using a very unique method with the result that the dial actually looks like porcelain. The porcelain dial obviously looks different compared to a normal white dial in terms of glossiness and color. This is not only very attractive, it is also very clever. An actual porcelain dial is extremely vulnerable. This dial combines the rigidity of a regular painted dial with the looks of porcelain or enamel.

This type of dial was first introduced in the Zenith-powered Rolex Daytona 16520. Only the first year of the 16520 Daytona production has this ‘porcelain’ dial.. Rolex stopped using it very quickly because the production was incredibly expensive. When it comes to vintage Rolex watches, little details like dial variations and short productions matter very much, with incredible price differences as a result. Today you might even have to pay double the amount of money for a Daytona with ‘porcelain’ dial, compared to a piece with a regular white dial.

Appart from this very desirable, and extremely expensive Daytona, only very few Day-Dates and Datejusts are know to have gotten a porcelain dial between 1988 and 1991, and we have one.  Luckily, the Datejust market is not like the Daytona market and the premium you pay for a unique dial in this Datejust is not tens of thousands of euros.

The condition of this Rolex is mint, sharp case, strong bracelet and the white dial is spotless. This set is completed by its original box and papers, and additional servicepapers, making it a truly interesting piece for a collector. Feel free to contact us by any means for more information.

SOLD

Out of stock

Contact us

Got your attention? We’re here to help.

Speak to us right away

Or, send a message

Brand

Rolex

Year of production (circa)

1990