Rolex Datejust
Ask any watchmaker about a Rolex and chances are you'll hear stories of rare, vintage, million-dollar Daytonas, the flamboyant Yacht-Master, or the high-tech two-tone Cerachrome bezels on the new GMT. Few collectors will immediately start talking about Datejust. What is there to discuss - a basic model for beginners or retirees. The Datejust, meanwhile, is one of the more balanced members of the Rolex family. And it is an amazing combination of rich history, versatile style and impeccable workmanship, which should interest everyone, from the average watch owner to the collector.
The Datejust is one of the earliest surviving models and is a prime example of why Rolex is Rolex. The very first Datejust was released in 1945 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rolex Corporation. It was presented at the anniversary celebration (hence the name of the new Jubilee bracelet, which has accompanied this watch from the first day). The presentation was hosted by Hans Wilsdorf (founder of Rolex) himself at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva (now the fashionable Four Seasons and the venue for the Christies auction house).
The very first Datejust
It was the very first self-winding wristwatch with an automatic date display in a separate window. Today this option is taken for granted, but in the 40s it changed the rules of the game in the watch market. The Rolex engineers considered the date indicator to be such an important and promising element that they even emphasized this complication even in the name of the watch. Emphasizing that the main technical appeal of the watch was that it had a mechanism that automatically changes the date at midnight, and this was the new standard of functionality at the time. Since then, the modest "date complication" has become the most popular feature on a wristwatch, right after the current time is displayed.
The Datejust was, of course, housed in an Oyster case, another great Rolex invention. In 1926, the Oyster case became the first waterproof wristwatch case to be mass-produced. Before that, to make the watch water-resistant, an additional case-case was worn on it. How do they put plastic cases on cameras for underwater filming now.
The Datejust also had a Perpetual self-winding rotor that winds the movement as the wearer's hand moves. Contrary to popular misconception, self-winding scientific watches were not first introduced by Rolex. Harwood beat them on the market by 3 years, offering the first automatic movements in 1928. The Datejust also featured the previously mentioned new Jubilee bracelet. Initially, the name Jubilee was associated with the name of the watch itself, but in the end this name was assigned to a certain type of bracelet with small links, which is still produced today.
The first Datejust was the 4467, which was only available in yellow gold with a Jubilee bracelet also in yellow gold. It had a creamy white dial with overlaid gold triangular hour markers. The date indication in the window was made according to the principle of a roulette wheel, on which even numbers are displayed in red and odd numbers in black. At that time, there was no characteristic magnifier (cyclops) on the glass to enlarge the date window. It would only appear in 1955 on the new Datejust. The Datejust name was not originally written on the dial. Instead, we see the signature 'Rolex / Oyster Perpetual' at 12 o'clock and the Chronometer at 6 o'clock. The bezel was slightly fluted, which became more noticeable in the 1960s.
In the years since, countless variations of Datejust have emerged. There were models in platinum, gold, two-tone variations in steel and gold, and all-steel models. There were hundreds of dial variations, from stone to diamond-studded pav? (Pav?). And if there are collectors who have collected almost all models of submarines or daytons, then collecting all the datejasts is an almost impossible task even for the most stubborn Rolex fans.
Today, the Datejust family is the largest and most diverse in the Rolex line. Models are available for every taste and wallet from 28 to 41mm. The most popular Datejust size for women today is 36 millimeters. Men have 41 mm. It is noteworthy that this size appeared in the Rolex collection only in 2009 in the Datejust II model (ref. 1163XX). And this provided a new surge in sales of this model around the world. Prior to that, the maximum size of a datejst was 36 mm and most men bypassed this model. It is difficult to calculate how much profit the company missed by trying to stick to its traditions and stubbornly releasing the model in the traditional size, despite the trend of increasing the diameter of the watch.
Rolex is also very conservative in the design of its models and strives to maintain a genetic consistency across all its chronometer lines. That is why modern datejust displays the same noble features, the same restrained and balanced style as in the very first anniversary Datejust. This watch has definitely inherited a lot from its ancestors, but like any modern Rolex watch, it is produced to extremely high modern quality standards and has absorbed all the most advanced technologies for which all Rolex watches are renowned.
The Oyster case withstands depths of 100 m (330 ft) and features a patented screw-down crown. The two dots below the Rolex logo on the crown indicate the Twinlock water and dust protection system. It is easy to use and when screwed down you can be absolutely sure that your watch is completely waterproof.
Rolex Chronometer watches, such as the Datejust 41, are tested both internally and externally by the Official Swiss Chronometry Institute (COSC). This double certification is kind of redundant, but it adds confidence to the wearer of the highest quality watch, ensuring maximum watch precision throughout its entire life. Rolex also offers a five-year movement warranty, which is one of the best industry standards.
Rolex bracelets are known as some of the best (some say they are the best) and it's easy to see why. The links are heavy and durable, fit tightly to each other, with little or no backlash. And the clasp is an incredible piece of engineering. The Oysterclasp uses a small lever to open and close, making it nearly impossible to accidentally open the bracelet. There is also a micro-adjustment mechanism that allows you to precisely fit the watch to your wrist.
The Jubilee bracelet is certainly the most classic with the Datejust, but the Oyster bracelet is just as popular today. Of course, Jubilee looks a little more elegant and brighter. The Oyster bracelet gives the watch a sportier look. Both of these bracelets are classics, making every Rolex Datejust recognizable and suitable for everyday wear.
In 2016, Rolex launched the new Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 ref. 1263XX, which quietly replaced the outgoing Datejust II, which had been in production for seven years. An important change is the new movement with a power reserve of approximately three days (70 hours). In addition, the fine-link Jubilee bracelet is now also available on the men's Datejust models. In terms of design, the new model is still an oversized version of the classic Rolex Datejust, which has been featured most of the time in a 36mm case.
The Rolex Datejust is one of the most popular luxury watches in the world, it has occupied its niche since 1945 and since then has only strengthened its position in the market, evolving in accordance with the most progressive watch trends. Their versatile and balanced design suits any style of clothing. They look equally harmonious in the office and at a party, and even on the beach. The Datejust is a watch you can wear anywhere, anytime. If you want to buy just one watch for all occasions, the Datejust is perhaps the best choice from everything that the modern watch market has to offer.
Ask any watchmaker about a Rolex and chances are you'll hear stories of rare, vintage, million-dollar Daytonas, the flamboyant Yacht-Master, or the high-tech two-tone Cerachrome bezels on the new GMT. Few collectors will immediately start talking about Datejust. What is there to discuss - a basic model for beginners or retirees. The Datejust, meanwhile, is one of the more balanced members of the Rolex family. And it is an amazing combination of rich history, versatile style and impeccable workmanship, which should interest everyone, from the average watch owner to the collector.
The Datejust is one of the earliest surviving models and is a prime example of why Rolex is Rolex. The very first Datejust was released in 1945 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rolex Corporation. It was presented at the anniversary celebration (hence the name of the new Jubilee bracelet, which has accompanied this watch from the first day). The presentation was hosted by Hans Wilsdorf (founder of Rolex) himself at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva (now the fashionable Four Seasons and the venue for the Christies auction house).
The very first Datejust
It was the very first self-winding wristwatch with an automatic date display in a separate window. Today this option is taken for granted, but in the 40s it changed the rules of the game in the watch market. The Rolex engineers considered the date indicator to be such an important and promising element that they even emphasized this complication even in the name of the watch. Emphasizing that the main technical appeal of the watch was that it had a mechanism that automatically changes the date at midnight, and this was the new standard of functionality at the time. Since then, the modest "date complication" has become the most popular feature on a wristwatch, right after the current time is displayed.
The Datejust was, of course, housed in an Oyster case, another great Rolex invention. In 1926, the Oyster case became the first waterproof wristwatch case to be mass-produced. Before that, to make the watch water-resistant, an additional case-case was worn on it. How do they put plastic cases on cameras for underwater filming now.
The Datejust also had a Perpetual self-winding rotor that winds the movement as the wearer's hand moves. Contrary to popular misconception, self-winding scientific watches were not first introduced by Rolex. Harwood beat them on the market by 3 years, offering the first automatic movements in 1928. The Datejust also featured the previously mentioned new Jubilee bracelet. Initially, the name Jubilee was associated with the name of the watch itself, but in the end this name was assigned to a certain type of bracelet with small links, which is still produced today.
The first Datejust was the 4467, which was only available in yellow gold with a Jubilee bracelet also in yellow gold. It had a creamy white dial with overlaid gold triangular hour markers. The date indication in the window was made according to the principle of a roulette wheel, on which even numbers are displayed in red and odd numbers in black. At that time, there was no characteristic magnifier (cyclops) on the glass to enlarge the date window. It would only appear in 1955 on the new Datejust. The Datejust name was not originally written on the dial. Instead, we see the signature 'Rolex / Oyster Perpetual' at 12 o'clock and the Chronometer at 6 o'clock. The bezel was slightly fluted, which became more noticeable in the 1960s.
In the years since, countless variations of Datejust have emerged. There were models in platinum, gold, two-tone variations in steel and gold, and all-steel models. There were hundreds of dial variations, from stone to diamond-studded pav? (Pav?). And if there are collectors who have collected almost all models of submarines or daytons, then collecting all the datejasts is an almost impossible task even for the most stubborn Rolex fans.
Today, the Datejust family is the largest and most diverse in the Rolex line. Models are available for every taste and wallet from 28 to 41mm. The most popular Datejust size for women today is 36 millimeters. Men have 41 mm. It is noteworthy that this size appeared in the Rolex collection only in 2009 in the Datejust II model (ref. 1163XX). And this provided a new surge in sales of this model around the world. Prior to that, the maximum size of a datejst was 36 mm and most men bypassed this model. It is difficult to calculate how much profit the company missed by trying to stick to its traditions and stubbornly releasing the model in the traditional size, despite the trend of increasing the diameter of the watch.
Rolex is also very conservative in the design of its models and strives to maintain a genetic consistency across all its chronometer lines. That is why modern datejust displays the same noble features, the same restrained and balanced style as in the very first anniversary Datejust. This watch has definitely inherited a lot from its ancestors, but like any modern Rolex watch, it is produced to extremely high modern quality standards and has absorbed all the most advanced technologies for which all Rolex watches are renowned.
The Oyster case withstands depths of 100 m (330 ft) and features a patented screw-down crown. The two dots below the Rolex logo on the crown indicate the Twinlock water and dust protection system. It is easy to use and when screwed down you can be absolutely sure that your watch is completely waterproof.
Rolex Chronometer watches, such as the Datejust 41, are tested both internally and externally by the Official Swiss Chronometry Institute (COSC). This double certification is kind of redundant, but it adds confidence to the wearer of the highest quality watch, ensuring maximum watch precision throughout its entire life. Rolex also offers a five-year movement warranty, which is one of the best industry standards.
Rolex bracelets are known as some of the best (some say they are the best) and it's easy to see why. The links are heavy and durable, fit tightly to each other, with little or no backlash. And the clasp is an incredible piece of engineering. The Oysterclasp uses a small lever to open and close, making it nearly impossible to accidentally open the bracelet. There is also a micro-adjustment mechanism that allows you to precisely fit the watch to your wrist.
The Jubilee bracelet is certainly the most classic with the Datejust, but the Oyster bracelet is just as popular today. Of course, Jubilee looks a little more elegant and brighter. The Oyster bracelet gives the watch a sportier look. Both of these bracelets are classics, making every Rolex Datejust recognizable and suitable for everyday wear.
In 2016, Rolex launched the new Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 ref. 1263XX, which quietly replaced the outgoing Datejust II, which had been in production for seven years. An important change is the new movement with a power reserve of approximately three days (70 hours). In addition, the fine-link Jubilee bracelet is now also available on the men's Datejust models. In terms of design, the new model is still an oversized version of the classic Rolex Datejust, which has been featured most of the time in a 36mm case.
The Rolex Datejust is one of the most popular luxury watches in the world, it has occupied its niche since 1945 and since then has only strengthened its position in the market, evolving in accordance with the most progressive watch trends. Their versatile and balanced design suits any style of clothing. They look equally harmonious in the office and at a party, and even on the beach. The Datejust is a watch you can wear anywhere, anytime. If you want to buy just one watch for all occasions, the Datejust is perhaps the best choice from everything that the modern watch market has to offer.
