Rolex Datejust 36 126234

Rolex introduced the first Datejust over 70 years ago in 1945. It is one of the Swiss manufacturer's most successful models. The Datejust 36 ref. 126234 made its debut at Baselworld 2019, a trade show for the global watch industry held in Switzerland. This reference comes in your choice of stainless steel, white gold, or in a two-tone design combining a stainless steel case with a white gold bezel.

There is also a large range of dial colors and indices available. You can choose between black, white, silver, gray, blue, green, and mother-of-pearl dials. Depending on the exact version, the hour markers are applied bar indices, Roman numerals, or diamonds. In 2022, Rolex added new green dial designs with a palm motif and blue dials with fluted motifs to the lineup.

As for the bracelet, the manufacturer offers the typical five-piece link Jubilee bracelet seen on other Datejust models, as well as the somewhat sportier three-piece link Oyster bracelet.

Since all Datejust 126234 models have a diameter of 36 mm, they are perfectly suited as unisex watches. Other commonalities include a sapphire crystal with a Cyclops lens and water resistance to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). The Datejust is powered by Rolex's in-house caliber 3235.

The in-house caliber 3235 has been a fixture in Rolex's catalog since 2016, when it debuted in the Datejust 41. Like all the manufacturer's movements, the 3235 is a certified chronometer. You can also find the caliber in other three-hand watches with a date display such as the Sea-Dweller, Yacht-Master, and Deepsea.

The caliber 3235 boasts a 70-hour power reserve and Rolex's patented Parachrom hairspring. The hairspring is made of a zirconium-niobium alloy, which is extremely robust and virtually unaffected by magnetic fields. An additional special feature is the Chronergy escapement, another in-house development, which increases the watch's efficiency.

Like most Rolex watches, the Datejust 126234 has recorded fantastic financial performance. Prices for mint-condition examples on Chrono24 are all above the MSRP. For example, Rolex lists the stainless steel variant with a mother-of-pearl dial and diamond indices for around 12,000 USD, whereas on Chrono24, you'll need to invest around 17,500 USD (as of January 2023). This means that the watch's value has increased by more than 40% on the secondary market.

You can buy a two-tone Datejust 36 in stainless steel and white gold featuring a green dial and bar hour markers for around 13,500 USD on Chrono24. Rolex's recommended retail price is 8,750 USD, which translates to a value appreciation of 54%.