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Rolex Datejust II
Ref. 116300
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Stepping up in Rolex's range
The 116300 arrived in 2012 as the clean-bezel, all-steel addition to the Datejust II range — a lineage that had launched three years earlier to move the Datejust name into territory better suited to larger wrists. Where sibling references leaned on precious metals or fluted decoration, this one relied entirely on its architecture: a flat polished bezel, boxy lugs and slab sides that give it a squarer, more deliberate presence than the tapered Datejust 41 that eventually succeeded it. At 41mm across and 49.5mm lug to lug, it wears with real substance without becoming unwieldy, and at 12mm it keeps enough profile to sit respectably beneath a shirt cuff. The Calibre 3136 inside is built around an enlarged mainplate for greater stability and uses Paraflex shock absorbers — a Rolex-developed system that outperforms conventional spring-type absorbers — which is part of why this movement carries a stronger reputation for long-term accuracy than the calibres it replaced. The Oyster bracelet is 904L steel throughout, with the familiar contrast of polished centre links against brushed outers, and the Easylink system allows up to 5mm of tool-free adjustment at the clasp — useful on a watch that weighs 145.6 grams and will make itself felt across the day.
- Reference
- 116300
- Brand
- Rolex
- Collection
- Datejust
- Case size
- 41mm
- Case thickness
- 12mm
- Lug width
- 21mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Silver
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 3136
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 49.5mm
- Power reserve
- 48 hours
- Origin
- Swiss made
Learn more about Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis, importing Swiss movements and casing them in England. He registered the name Rolex in 1908 — short, pronounceable in any language, and easy to fit on a dial.
Wilsdorf's conviction was that the wristwatch, then regarded as a woman's ornament and hopelessly fragile, could be made accurate and durable. He proved the first half in 1910 by obtaining the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the second in 1926 with the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel wearing one in 1927, and Wilsdorf bought the front page of the Daily Mail to say so — arguably the first modern watch marketing campaign.
The Perpetual rotor followed in 1931, giving automatic winding in a form the whole industry eventually copied. The company relocated to Geneva during the First World War to escape British wartime duties.
The professional models arrived in a compressed burst in the 1950s: Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Milgauss, and later the Daytona. Each was built for a specific job — diving, exploration, aviation, laboratory work, racing — and each became a design template.
Wilsdorf left his shares to a private foundation on his death, so Rolex answers to no shareholders. It remains the largest producer of certified chronometers in Switzerland by a wide margin.
- 1905
- Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf & Davis in London.
- 1908
- The Rolex name is registered.
- 1926
- The Oyster case introduces genuine water resistance.
- 1931
- The Perpetual rotor brings modern automatic winding.
- 1953
- The Submariner and Explorer launch.
- 1963
- The Cosmograph Daytona arrives.
Also in 4 collections
This watch appears in the Rolex Datejust range (12), Stainless Steel Watches (2,624), Automatic Watches (1,472) and Silver Dial Watches (600).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Rolex's range as we list it
Rolex Datejust II alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 116300 | 03.3114.3600/51.M3100 | 168589-6002 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £9,450 | £9,900 | £9,240 |
| Case size | 41mm | 41mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 50m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 48 hours | 60 hours | 42 hours |
| This watch | Closely matched |
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Will the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Does it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
How long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 48 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
What size strap does it take?
21mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 49.5mm, which suits wrists from roughly 16.5cm (6½ inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths at £9,450, against £9,550 at Goldsmiths. Two UK retailers stock this reference new.
Who are Goldsmiths?
Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
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