Gold Datejusts are relatively uncommon, but gold Datejusts with gemstone dials are outright rare!

As most people that were in the market for a precious metal Rolex opted for the Day-Date option at a slight price premium, significantly fewer such Datejusts exist. Today, the prices are still lower than your average Day-Date, making them a huge bang for your buck.
This 16018 specimen was produced in 1979, just one year after Rolex introduced a quickset date function on the Datejust line. At that same time, gold Datejusts received a sapphire crystal too, while their steel and two-tone brethren would have to make due with plexiglass crystals for another decade.

The dial, of course, is the star of the show. Cut from Tiger’s Eye, a gemstone from the quartz group, it has a beautiful gold and brown streaky appearance with a silky luster. The name ‘Tiger’s Eye’ refers to the stone’s chatoyance (“cat’s eye effect” in French). Rolex’ stone dials typically contain no indices or unnecessary marking, save for the applied Rolex coronet and some gilt text, which gives them a wonderful balanced aesthetic.

Gemstone dials are beautiful due to the natural variation of the material used, but they’re also quite fragile. Many of them have developed cracks or rips over the years. Therefore, a flawless dial, like the one on this watch, greatly increases its desirability.

The Tiger’s Eye dial is housed in a thick 18k yellow gold case with matching fluted bezel.The watch comes on the iconic President bracelet with a concealed clasp and is accompanied by Rolex service papers.