The steel Datejust 36 in blue Roman, without the paperwork.

The Datejust 36 is the watch Rolex built its reputation on: the first self-winding wristwatch with a date that changed at midnight, launched in 1945, and made ever since in a 36mm Oyster case with a screw-down crown, an automatic chronometer movement, the date under its Cyclops lens at three, a fluted, smooth or engine-turned bezel, and a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet. Because Rolex made it for eight decades in every dial and metal, the pre-owned market is deep and this is where the money goes when people search for a Rolex that is not a Submariner.

The steel Datejust with the white gold fluted bezel is the one that reads as all-steel until the light hits the bezel: Rolex fluted the 116234’s bezel in 18k white gold, and the Oyster bracelet makes it wear like a sports watch. Roman numerals on a coloured dial are the classic Datejust face. Rebag gives no reference and no accessories, which is why it costs less than the Datejust 41s with cards on this page; the serial on the case will say which generation it is.

Rebag gives the case at 36mm and 12mm high, the band at 20mm, a wrist size of about 7.25 inches, the band and case as stainless steel, the dial colour as blue, an automatic movement with date and a screw-down crown, no accessories, and the condition as Very Good with slight scratches, and no reference. The white gold fluted bezel is in the title; the Roman dial and Oyster bracelet are from the photograph. The 116234 match and its calibre are Rolex’s published figures for the reference it appears to be.

Rebag authenticates in-house and is not a Rolex authorised dealer, and Amazon adds its 30-day return window. Ask for the reference and the serial, whether the removed links come with it, and when it was last serviced. Nothing here was measured on the watch.

This unit is sold by Rebag through Amazon Luxury Stores, authenticated by the seller with Amazon’s 30-day return window on top; it is one piece, and when it sells the listing goes away, so the second button opens the live search for 36mm Datejusts.

Steel and two-tone Datejusts have resold close to what pre-owned buyers paid, sometimes more, sometimes less; that is a pattern, not a promise, and nothing here is investment advice.