BKRO Datejust - model advice

[NumberOne]

The discussions and information here have been so incredibly helpful - I've gone from knowing almost nothing to being obsessed in less than a month's time. I'm hoping for some advice on my first purchase.

I know what I want - a Datejust 36, SS Jubilee, black dial , roman numeral, fluted bezel. I'm happy to buy an older reference, and not even afraid of a redial. I just need some help on an references and with a specific question on the dial.

The reason the BKRO stood out so much to me was the raised, rounded numerals. The three-dimensional characters really looked great. But as I look online, particularly at 80s and 90s models, the characters on the dial seem to be flat. That might be that I'm looking at non-studio photos of the older references.

So, first question is when Rolex started using the current dial with the raised silver numerals? I'm seeing 16220 models with those numerals, I just don't know how old I can go.

Second question is whether there's a specific model I should target. For example, if the movement changed is a meaningful way, or when the lume got better, or when the crystal went to sapphire. it seems to me like I can spend $3500 to get what I want in a 1980s reference, but is there a strong reason not to do so?

Thanks for anything you can offer!

[NumberOne]

Originally Posted by NumberOne

The discussions and information here have been so incredibly helpful - I've gone from knowing almost nothing to being obsessed in less than a month's time. I'm hoping for some advice on my first purchase.

I know what I want - a Datejust 36, SS Jubilee, black dial , roman numeral, fluted bezel. I'm happy to buy an older reference, and not even afraid of a redial. I just need some help on an references and with a specific question on the dial.

The reason the BKRO stood out so much to me was the raised, rounded numerals. The three-dimensional characters really looked great. But as I look online, particularly at 80s and 90s models, the characters on the dial seem to be flat. That might be that I'm looking at non-studio photos of the older references.

So, first question is when Rolex started using the current dial with the raised silver numerals? I'm seeing 16220 models with those numerals, I just don't know how old I can go.

Second question is whether there's a specific model I should target. For example, if the movement changed is a meaningful way, or when the lume got better, or when the crystal went to sapphire. it seems to me like I can spend $3500 to get what I want in a 1980s reference, but is there a strong reason not to do so?

Thanks for anything you can offer!

Black face Roman Numerals is apparently not abbreviated BKRO. See, I'm still learning. Also, I can't find the edit button.