Rolex Datejust 36 Two-Tone
+155 % above RRP
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ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
The current market value of the Rolex Datejust 36 Two-Tone (Ref. 16803) is $13,828. Last sold at auction: $8,402 (Antiquorum, 11/2025).
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Technical data
Lift angle 52° — important for timing-machine diagnosis: with this value a watchmaker can correctly measure rate deviation, amplitude and beat error. ChronoCheck verifies such technical details directly from the manufacturers' factory specifications.
Rolex Ref. 16803 — Variants and collector names
Known as: Bluesy, Two-Tone Sub, Rolesor Submariner, Transitional Sub
Production phases and changes
- 1984: Market introduction of Ref. 16803 as the first officially two-tone (Rolesor) Submariner
- 1985: Replacement of the Nipple Dial by flat gold-framed indices
- 1988: End of production for Ref. 16803, succeeded by Ref. 16613 with Cal. 3135
Movement variants
- 3035 (1984–1988) · 28800 bph
Bezel variants
- Black Alu Insert 16803
- Blue Alu Insert 16803 "Bluesy"
Dial variants
- Nipple Dial — SUBMARINER DATE / Swiss Made
- Serti Dial — SUBMARINER DATE / Swiss Made
- Serti Dial Slate — SUBMARINER DATE / Swiss Made
- 16803 Standard Dial Black — SUBMARINER DATE / Swiss Made
- Bluesy — SUBMARINER DATE / Swiss Made
Crystal variants
- Saphirglas Flat Cyclops 16803
Bracelet variants
- Oyster Two-Tone Solid Link Ref. 93153
Serial numbers
- 8.070.022 – 8.613.999 (1984–1984) — Numerically sequential serial numbers. Engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock. Ref. 16803 introduced in 1984.
- 8.614.000 – 9.289.999 (1985–1985) — Example: serial number 8.6M dates to approx. 1985 (confirmed by a Wind Vintage 16803 listing).
- 9.290.000 – 9.999.999 (1986–1986) — Transition to 9.x million serial numbers. Serial number 9544139 (approx. 1987) documented at CollectorsSquare.
- R.000.001 – R.598.200 (1987–1988) — From mid-1987 Rolex switched to letter prefixes. R-Prefix = 1987/1988. Serial number 9.79x (warranty card Nov. 1987) documented via EveryWatch. The last 16803s carry an R-Prefix.
In 1984, Rolex introduces the Ref. 16803, the first officially two-tone Submariner in gold and steel. It opens the 168xx Transitional family and packs several innovations into a single case: sapphire crystal in place of Plexiglas, 300 meters of water resistance, and the Caliber 3035 with quickset date and a higher balance frequency. Collectors know the 16803 today under names like Rolesor Submariner or Transitional Sub — a testament to how much this one model shaped the Rolesor look for sports watches.
## From Nipple Dial to standard dial
The earliest examples carry the so-called Nipple Dial, with its conical gold markers — a detail highly sought after by collectors today. Starting in 1985, Rolex gradually replaces these markers with the flat, lume-filled indexes in gold surrounds that remain standard to this day. The exact changeover can't be pinned down to a specific date; auction catalogs still list the designation "Standard Dial Black" alongside the Nipple Dial for a while afterward.
## Bluesy: the blue outlier in the Rolesor lineup
Alongside black and the rarer Serti versions in champagne and slate, Rolex also fits the 16803 with a sunburst blue dial and matching blue aluminum bezel. Collectors have settled on the nickname "Bluesy" for this combination, and it ranks among the most sought-after variants in the entire Transitional series.
## Four years of production, then the 16613 takes over
Production of the 16803 ends in 1988 after just around four years — the shortest run of the three 168xx Transitional references. Its successor is the Ref. 16613, fitted with the new Caliber 3135 and 31 jewels on a full balance bridge.
Brand profile: Rolex
Rolex is the most counterfeited watch brand in the world. Super-clones (VSF, ARF, Clean — the latter inactive since the 07/2025 raid, with only old stock still circulating) reach 95%+ similarity. Authenticity can almost always only be identified through micro-details and caliber behavior.
- Case back: ALWAYS solid and closed — any display window means it's definitely fake (exception: vintage Ref. 6085 only)
- Minute hand length: genuine Rolex minute hands end EXACTLY at the minute chapter ring. 1 mm too long = fake. The strongest VSF tell.
- Seconds hand: smooth sweep without any hesitation — the slightest tick-tock motion means it's fake
- Cyclops lens (on Date models): must magnify exactly 2.5×, with the date filling almost the entire window
Serial number format: Since 2010, a random alphanumeric combination (e.g. 'G3M9K721'). 2000-2010: a letter plus 6-7 digits. Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 o'clock (from ~2005). Older models: between the lug shoulders at 6 o'clock on the case.
Further sources
Buying guide: Rolex Datejust 36 Two-Tone
Market situation and price range
At $13,828 the Datejust 36 Two-Tone sits in a segment where first owners sell regularly — clean pieces with box and papers are not uncommon. The jump from "good" to "very good" usually costs 1,000 to 2,000 euros more at purchase. You get that premium back on resale if the condition is preserved.
Watch out for swings: This reference has an above-average volatility of 99.5 percent. In concrete terms: the price can move by several hundred euros within a few weeks. Check the current value before buying or selling — old listings or auction results from two months ago are of little help.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Rolex Datejust 36 Two-Tone reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the Datejust 36 Two-Tone.
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
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Go to the market value tool →Auction results Rolex Datejust 36 Two-Tone 16803
Recent hammer prices for this reference from international auction houses:
| Price | House | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $8,402 | Antiquorum | 11/2025 |