Rolex Wimbledon is a collector nickname for a Datejust with a slate-gray sunray dial, green-edged Roman numerals and a luminous 9 o'clock baton, not an official Rolex model name. If the name doesn't appear as an official model name, what should you check before you pay for one?
That's the question we hear across the counter. The answer isn't the nickname. It's whether the dial, reference, case, bracelet and papers all agree with each other.
What Makes the Rolex Wimbledon Dial Distinctive
The Rolex Wimbledon dial is a slate-gray sunray dial on a Datejust, with black Roman numerals edged in green, a green seconds hand and a luminous baton at 9 o'clock in place of the numeral IX. It is one of the most recognizable Datejust styles.
Picture us turning a watch slowly under the counter light. First, look at the slate-gray sunray finish. Those fine radiating lines catch light and shift in tone as the watch moves, so the dial doesn't read as a flat gray.
The Details to Check in Order
Next, look at the Roman numerals. They're black with a green edge, which is the color cue buyers notice second. The green seconds hand completes that cue without adding a large block of color.
Then check the 9 o'clock position. A luminous baton sits there instead of Roman numeral IX. That's the first feature we compare on any pre-owned watch, because it's distinctive and easy to spot in listing photos.
Bob's Watches' guide to the Rolex Wimbledon dial describes Rolex Wimbledon as a collector designation rather than an official Rolex model name, and dates this dial design to 2009 on the 41 mm Datejust II, reference 116333.
That distinction matters. Rolex's tennis partnership history dates Rolex's role as Wimbledon's Official Timekeeper to 1978, with branding integrated through courtside clocks and scoreboards across the All England Club. The partnership is official. The dial nickname borrows that tradition, but it doesn't tie an individual watch to the tournament.
The dial matches a look, not an origin.
If you enjoy where these names come from, our guide to Rolex nicknames and the stories behind iconic models explains how collector names form. For buying, reference, case, bracelet and papers decide what a watch is.
Which Datejust References Carry the Wimbledon Dial
Two watches can sit side by side in a display case, both showing the slate dial and green-edged Roman numerals that define the Rolex Wimbledon look, and still belong to different generations. What separates them is the reference number, the model code that identifies a watch's case family and configuration. A nickname travels freely across references. The number does not.
Treat this table as a working shortlist. Bob's Watches' guide to the dial dates the design's debut to 2009 on the 41 mm Datejust II, the case family that produced references 116333 and 116334. Match the reference first, then compare the dial against that reference.
| Reference | Case size | Introduced | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116333 | Datejust II 41 mm | 2009 | First appearance of the Wimbledon dial |
| 116334 | Datejust II 41 mm | 2009 | Shares the Datejust II case family that introduced the dial |
| 126333 | Datejust 41 mm | Current Datejust 41 generation | Rolesor configuration with calibre 3235 movement |
| 126334 | Datejust 41 mm | Current Datejust 41 generation | Companion Datejust 41 reference with the same dial design |
How to Use The Table
Start with the papers. Read the reference number there first, then have a jeweler or watchmaker confirm the same number on the watch itself. Match it to a row above. A listing that leans on the nickname without a matching reference has told you nothing yet.
Then check case size. A 41 mm Datejust II and a current 41 mm Datejust 41 share a diameter, yet they belong to different generations with different movements inside. A 36 mm case belongs to its own reference set entirely, so treat any 36 mm Wimbledon listing as a prompt to read the exact reference rather than as a match to this table.
- Reference match: The papers, listing and watch should name the same reference.
- Dial match: The slate dial, green-edged numerals and 9 o'clock baton should fit that reference.
- Size match: The stated case diameter should agree with the reference row.
The nickname reaches further than the dial does. Sellers apply it loosely, and a Datejust 31 or 36 wearing the Wimbledon label earns that label only when a specific reference confirms it. ECI Jewelers' Datejust selection spans 31, 36 and 41 mm cases with Wimbledon among the dial configurations, which is exactly why size alone never settles the question.
Practical rule: If the reference does not fit, treat the Wimbledon label as unproven, however good the dial looks in photos.
Movement and Specs of a Current Datejust 41 Wimbledon
A calibre works like the engine in a car: the nickname tells you the trim, but the movement tells you which generation you're holding. For a current Datejust 41, that engine is Rolex calibre 3235, a self-winding mechanical movement. "Calibre" is watch language for the movement inside the case.
Rolex's Datejust specification page lists calibre 3235 with approximately 70 hours of power reserve and Superlative Chronometer performance rated at -2/+2 seconds per day after casing.
| Specification | Value | What it means for a buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Rolex calibre 3235, self-winding | Mechanical movement with no battery to replace |
| Power reserve | About 70 hours | Keeps running through a weekend when fully wound |
| Rotor | Bidirectional Perpetual rotor | Winds from wrist motion in either direction |
| Hairspring | Paramagnetic blue Parachrom | Resists magnetic fields that can disturb timekeeping |
| Chronometer rating | Superlative Chronometer, -2/+2 seconds per day after casing | Tighter accuracy than a standard chronometer rating |
| Case | 41 mm Oyster with screw-down crown and case back | Sealed case for daily wear |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops date magnifier | Clearer date reading |
| Water resistance | 100 metres (330 feet) | Everyday splashing, with gaskets still needing testing on pre-owned watches |
What Those Numbers Mean on Your Wrist
Start with the 70-hour power reserve. Take the watch off fully wound on a Friday evening and it should still be running on Monday morning, which suits anyone who rotates between two or three watches during the week.
The bidirectional Perpetual rotor winds the mainspring from wrist motion in either direction, so ordinary daily wear keeps the watch topped up. The Parachrom hairspring resists the magnetic fields a watch meets in everyday life. None of this removes the need for periodic servicing.
The 100-metre rating covers everyday water exposure. It does not cover aging gaskets, so a pre-owned watch still needs its seals checked and a pressure test before you trust it near water.
Here is the part that trips buyers up. A correct calibre 3235 confirms the movement belongs to the right generation. It proves nothing about the dial being the green-Roman "Wimbledon" version, because Rolex never used that name officially. The movement verifies the reference. The slate dial, Roman numerals, case, bracelet and papers verify everything else.
These figures also do not carry over automatically to a Datejust 36, a Datejust 31 or an older Datejust II. Case size alone does not set the spec sheet either, which our look at the Rolex 126300 Datejust 42 makes clear: the exact reference determines which movement, rating and features a watch carries.
Which Metal, Bezel, Bracelet and Size Suit You
Start with metal, because it drives weight, color and price. Oystersteel is Rolex's stainless steel alloy. Rolesor is Rolex's term for a steel and gold combination, available in White, Yellow and Everose versions.
18K gold feels warmer and heavier than steel. Platinum is the densest option here and gives the most formal impression. Neither choice is better in the abstract. Your wrist and daily use decide.
| Configuration | Options | Effect on appearance and wear |
|---|---|---|
| Case metal | Oystersteel, White Rolesor, Yellow Rolesor, Everose Rolesor, 18K gold, platinum | Steel is lighter for everyday wear. Gold and platinum add weight and a warmer or more formal look |
| Bezel | Fluted or smooth | Fluting adds grip and texture. Smooth looks cleaner and less busy |
| Bracelet | Jubilee or Oyster | Jubilee reads as more formal. Oyster is sturdier and more sporty |
| Case size | 36 mm, 41 mm | 36 mm suits slimmer and many women's wrists. 41 mm gives a bolder presence |
Bezel, Bracelet and Fit
A fluted bezel catches more light and looks busier beside Roman numerals. A smooth bezel keeps attention on the slate dial. Try both if you can, because photos flatten that difference.
The Jubilee is a five-link bracelet with a more formal look. The Oyster is a three-link bracelet with a sportier feel. Our explanation of the Jubilee bracelet shows the link shape up close.
Measure your wrist with a flexible tape, then compare the result with the case diameter and lug-to-lug length in the reference details. Don't promise yourself a 31 mm Wimbledon dial. The reference number decides.
How to Verify a Pre-Owned Wimbledon Datejust
Work in order. Skip a step, and you may verify the easy parts while missing the one mismatch that changes value.
- Reference number: It should match across the watch, papers and listing. A correct dial on the wrong case is the common slip.
- Dial details: Look for the slate sunray finish, green-edged Roman numerals and the luminous 9 o'clock baton. Blurry photos aren't enough.
- Case and bracelet: Case size, metal and bracelet should match the reference. A bracelet from another reference can look plausible at a glance.
- Box and papers: Check that serials and dates line up. Papers that belong to a different watch add confusion, not confidence.
- Movement calibre: It should match the reference generation. Ask who confirmed it and how.
- Service history: Replaced parts and service work should be disclosed in writing. Verbal reassurance is hard to check later.
- Water resistance: Have the watch pressure tested before you wear it in water, even for routine splashing.
- Price comparison: Compare recent listings for the same reference, size and metal. A lower price on a different configuration isn't a useful comparison.
What a Dial Can't Prove
A matching dial is not proof of authenticity. It shows that one visible feature fits. Case, movement, bracelet, serial and service history still need examination.
Have an independent expert examine the watch before purchase. Our guide to checking whether a Rolex is real outlines the questions to ask during that inspection.
Pay for a watch whose parts and paperwork agree, not for a nickname attached to a photograph.
Complete, well-documented examples of in-demand references tend to hold value because buyers can verify what they're getting. That's a demand and documentation point. It isn't a promise about future prices.
Which Wimbledon Datejust Should You Shortlist
Shortlist in this order: reference, size, metal, bracelet, then condition and papers. Reversing that order is how buyers fall for a dial before checking whether it belongs on the watch.
Start by separating two things listings often blur. "Wimbledon" is a collector nickname for one Datejust dial style. Rolex's partnership with the Wimbledon tennis tournament is a separate sponsorship, and a listing can borrow the nickname without carrying the dial. The name works like a surname: useful for pointing, never enough for identification. Match the dial, reference, case, bracelet and papers, and let the nickname come last.
ECI Jewelers sells certified pre-owned Datejust watches in sizes 31, 36 and 41, plus Lady-Datejust 26 and 28 models for smaller wrists. Configurations include Oystersteel, White Rolesor, Yellow Rolesor and Everose Rolesor, fluted or smooth bezels, Jubilee or Oyster bracelets, and blue, Wimbledon, champagne or diamond dials.
Because each pre-owned watch is one of a kind, start with our Rolex Datejust collection and, for smaller sizes, the Lady-Datejust collection. If no Wimbledon dial is listed when you look, use the reference table to judge similar Datejusts rather than stretching the nickname to fit them.
For price context before you compare individual watches, see our guide to pre-owned Rolex Datejust 41 prices. Once the watch choice is settled, The Dressed Man shopping guides can help you pair clothing with a dressier or sportier configuration.
The short video below gives another look at how dial details read in motion.
How Can You Pay for It
Financing is available through Affirm, Synchrony, Acima and Snap Finance, with approval and terms set by each provider. See our flexible financing and leasing options for details. You can also trade in a luxury watch toward your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rolex Wimbledon Datejusts
Can a Wimbledon Datejust Be Worn Every Day
Yes, for normal daily wear, provided the specific watch has been checked. Use the power reserve and water resistance figures for its exact reference, not the nickname. Have seals and service history reviewed on a pre-owned example before regular water exposure, since a dial that photographs well can still sit in a case due for a gasket change.
Does a Wimbledon Datejust Suit Matching Watches for a Couple
It can, because pairing is a style and sizing decision. Lady-Datejust sizes run 26 and 28 mm, so measure each wrist and compare that against the case diameter before committing. The green Roman dial appears across more than one Datejust size, which gives a couple room to match the dial while wearing different cases.
Is It a Good Wedding or Anniversary Gift
It can be a fitting gift when the size, metal and bracelet suit the wearer. Those three choices carry the gift; the nickname only describes the dial. Confirm wrist size first, then choose a metal and bracelet consistent with what the person already wears, and let the reference number confirm the configuration.
How Do You Tell Whether a Listing Dial Is Factory-Correct
Run checks two and three from the verification list, then compare the result against the exact reference. Clear, close photos help, but they don't settle the question, because a correct-looking dial can still be a replacement or a refinished example. An independent expert should examine the watch, its movement and its paperwork before you buy.
Find Your Matching Pair
Browse our Rolex Datejust collection for the reference and size you've confirmed, then compare metal, bezel and bracelet in that order. Bring your shortlist down to watches whose papers, case and dial can be checked together, rather than watches chosen by nickname alone. If you're building a pair, confirm each person's wrist size separately. Two watches don't need the same diameter to look related. Matching dial family, metal tone or bracelet style can be enough. Take your time with the reference number. It's the detail that keeps a good-looking choice from becoming an expensive mismatch.
View Rolex Datejust watches
Prices shown are as of May 2026. Each pre-owned watch is one of a kind.
We offer pre-owned Rolex Datejust watches in a range of sizes, metals, bezels, bracelets and dials, including Wimbledon configurations when they're in stock. Tell us the reference and size you're considering, and we'll help you compare the details before you decide. Visit ECI Jewelers to browse current watches and talk through your shortlist.
