When the Rolex Awards for Enterprise recognized León Herszage for his outstanding work with anabiosis (the temporary state of suspended animation or greatly reduced metabolism), the watch that he was given was a reference 16233 Rolex Datejust.
The reference 16233 is the quintessential Rolex Datejust. Measuring 36mm in diameter, the Rolex Datejust 16233 is crafted from stainless steel and replica Rolex Datejust 18 Karat yellow gold,While the most recent incarnation of 36mm Rolex Datejust uses Rolex’s thicker, chunkier case and updated Jubilee bracelet, the Rolex Datejust 16233 follows the classic design with thinner lugs and hollow gold center links.
Although the Rolex Datejust 16233 adheres to the classic Datejust design in terms of aesthetics, it does feature a couple of key technological advancements that allow it to function on par with Rolex’s present-day Datejust offerings. While vintage Rolex references present an unprecedented level of history and collectability, they often lack the modern features that ultimately enhance practicality and ease of ownership – such as a quick-set date function.
A notable feature on the Rolex Datejust 16233 is its use of fake Rolex’s caliber 3135 and features a fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet movement. First introduced in 1988, the caliber 3135 is still in production today, and Rolex uses it to power the majority of their three-hand, date displaying watches. The caliber 3135 has a reputation for being highly reliable and easy to maintain, with scores of replacement parts readily available. Additionally, the caliber 3135 benefits from both a hacking feature and a quick-set date, further adding to the functionality of the reference 16233.