Rolex “Lavender” Datejust II Ref. 116300

The Rolex 116300 “Lavender” is one of those references that didn’t feel special—until it disappeared.

It’s not “the watch someone famous wore.”

It's not hype.

It’s not rare.

It’s not limited.

It’s not loud.

But it’s one of those watches that quietly grows on you.

It captures a specific era of Rolex—slightly bolder case proportions, experimental dial playfulness, and the final chapter of the classic 31xx movement line. For collectors who appreciate nuance over noise, this Datejust might be one of the smartest under-the-radar steel Rolex buys of the past decade.

And in the right light? Yes—it really does glow lavender.

Unique fact #1:
This was one of the last Datejust references where Rolex leaned into colored applied Arabic numerals on a 41mm DJ. They’ve since become far more conservative with DJ41 dial layouts.

Unique fact #2:
The lavender hue effect is partly due to the anti-reflective properties of the sapphire crystal interacting with the radial brushing—it’s an optical phenomenon, not a separate dial color.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Unique dial tone with subtle lavender hue
Discontinued configuration
Smooth bezel versatility
Proven 3136 movement
Less common than fluted DJ41 models

Cons

Chunkier case than modern DJ41
No upgraded 70-hour power reserve
Polished center links scratch easily
Not instantly recognizable as “special”

Note: The Rolex Datejust II (116300) and Datejust 41 (126334) are both 41mm watches but differ significantly in design, movement, and availability.

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