Datejust
The watch that invented the date
The Datejust is perhaps the most versatile watch ever built: the same basic form works in steel on a student's wrist just as well as in white gold with a diamond bezel. Essentially unchanged in principle since 1945 — and continuously refined in detail.
The evolution of the Datejust
In 1945, marking its fortieth anniversary, Rolex introduced the Datejust: the first automatic, waterproof wristwatch with a date that jumps into a window. It came paired with the specially designed Jubilee bracelet.
In 1953 the Cyclops lens arrived, magnifying the date 2.5 times. It has been one of Rolex's most distinctive features ever since.
From the 1950s onward the enormous diversity of variants emerged: fluted or smooth bezels, Oyster, Jubilee or President bracelets, dials ranging from plain silver to stone and diamond-set.
The current Datejust 36 and Datejust 41 references run on calibre 3235, offering a power reserve of around 70 hours.
- Case
- Oyster, 31 / 36 / 41 mm
- Bezel
- Fluted, smooth or diamond-set
- Feature
- Cyclops lens over the date
- Water resistance
- 100 metres
- Bracelet
- Jubilee, Oyster or President
- Movement
- Calibre 3235, around 70 hours power reserve
Key reference numbers at a glance
What to look for when buying
- 01
The Datejust is the best entry point into the brand. Supply is plentiful, prices are comparatively stable, and the range of dials allows for very personal configurations.
- 02
Rare dials — stone, tapestry, sigma dials from the 1970s — set individual pieces well apart from the average.
- 03
On two-tone models it is worth checking the gold plating on the bracelet edges. Wear on the centre links is the typical weak point.
- 04
36 millimetres is currently regarded as the most sought-after size and often trades at a premium over the 41 mm variant.
Rolex Datejust at Predeluxe
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