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1987 Rolex Datejust 16013 - Two-Tone Champagne Tapestry Dial

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Details
Beyond The Standard Sunburst
Rolex produced the Datejust in countless variations, but the vast majority left the factory with sunburst or lacquered dials. The tapestry dial was a far less common option, a deliberate design choice for a buyer who wanted something more than the standard finish. This vertical texture required a more involved production process, creating a watch that was subtly but significantly different from its catalog siblings. It represents a moment when Rolex offered a more expressive, textural take on its most foundational model.
A Dial Of Vertical Texture
The defining feature of this Datejust is its champagne tapestry dial. The surface is finished with a fine, vertically ribbed pattern that interacts with light in a linear, structured way, unlike the radial sheen of a sunburst finish. Against this detailed background, simple applied gold stick indices and original tritium lume plots ensure clean legibility. This less-common dial is housed in the classic reference 16013 configuration: a 36mm stainless steel case, a solid 18K yellow gold fluted bezel, and the quick-set date function.
Original Crown, Honest Wear
The 18K yellow gold fluted bezel remains sharp, with crisp, well-defined facets. The watch retains its original Rolex-signed crown, a detail that matters to collectors of this reference. This two-tone Datejust is in Very Good Vintage Condition, with the case showing honest wear consistent with a watch from the late 1980s. The dial is clean, and the watch has been fitted with an aftermarket brown leather strap that complements the champagne dial. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear.
The Textured Alternative
The tapestry dial was always the quieter option for buyers who wanted the same proportions with more surface interest. This finish adds depth without changing the watch's essential character. It holds up because the texture is structural, not decorative, and because the vertical ribbing complements the fluted bezel rather than competing with it. The tapestry dial was never the default, and that's precisely why it works for collectors who already know the standard version.
Key Specs
Reference: 16013
Year: 1987
Movement: Automatic
Case Size: 36mm (Excluding Crown)
Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold Fluted
Strap: Aftermarket Brown Leather
Dial: Champagne Tapestry
Metal: 18K Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel
Weight: 53.1g
SKU: 1827
Fit & Customization
We want your watch to fit the day it arrives, so its next chapter starts the moment you put it on, and that's why we offer:
  • Any two-piece strap swapped out and customized in the material, color, and length you want
  • Links added or removed on a metal bracelet
  • Integrated bracelets resized, which few dealers will take on
Contact us about the listing or your order and we'll take it from there.