16030 “Pumpkin Tritium”

We’re happy to present this wonderful Vintage Rolex Datejust, a reference 16030 with soft champagne dial, and gorgeous so-called Pumpkin Patina; Pumpkin Patina refers to the warm, orange-brown coloration that naturally develops over time on the luminous material – usually tritium – used next to, or inside the hour markers and on the hands of most vintage watches. As tritium ages, it breaks down and shifts in color from creamy white to deep yellow, amber, or rich orange, often resembling the tone of a ripe pumpkin – hence the nickname.

Apart from the warm Pumpkin Patina, this Datejust has a lot more going for it – like that soft champagne dial, the solid Engine turned bezel, and that wonderful 78360 Oyster bracelet from the same year as the rest of the watch. All Tritium on the dial has that wonderful light pumpkin colour, however the Tritium inside the hands are an eggshell tone. The stainless steel Engine turned bezel remains in a very good condition with sharp edges all around, the 1981 Oyster bracelet has very little stretch with a clean Oyster clasp that still shows a crispy Rolex coronet, and the dial shifts from warm silver to champagne tones in different lighting. In short, a killer vintage Datejust, especially when worn on an Oyster bracelet which gives these classic timepieces a totally different look than with the Jubilee for instance. The Oyster bracelet tends to make the watch look more sporty, and also wears slightly bigger, but this is purely optical, of course.

As mentioned, the entire watch and its 3035 movement (with quick set date) were fully serviced according the Rolex specs and this 16030 “Pumpkin Tritium” will be sold with our extensive two warranty.

reference: 16030
case number: 705XXXX
year of production: 1981
case diameter: 36mm
movement: self-winding, Rolex caliber 3035
box and papers: no

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