When the first Rolex Datejust was introduced in 1945 – the year of the brand’s 40th anniversary – it entered history as the first automatic water-resistant certified chronometer with a date on the dial. The “Cyclops” was added in 1955 in order to magnify the date display two and a half times, making the indication more legible and clear, and this feature became one of the most recognisable hallmarks of Rolex in general.

In 2018, Rolex introduced the new generation of the Rolex Datejust 31. This line of watches offers the characteristics of the original and iconic Rolex Datejust in a more modern design and, of course, includes certain innovations. One of the most significant differences is the movement – the Datejust 31 has the honour of carrying inside it the new calibre 2236, which has an increased power reserve of up to 55 hours, a seriously improved automatic winding system, in which the rotor is now on bearings and its efficiency has been increased. As for lubrication, the reversing wheels, being one of the problematic zones from the point of view of friction, have a special coating. Another important feature is the use of the Yellow Rolesor combination – this is how Rolex designates the pairing of Oystersteel and 18-carat yellow gold.

It is no coincidence that the Datejust is the most popular and recognisable model of the brand after the cult Submariner – and the Datejust 31 allows this popularity to be presented in a contemporary interpretation and in an exceptionally elegant size. This particular watch comes in a wonderful and relatively hard-to-find combination – a white dial with gold Roman numerals, which Rolex call White Roman Dial, gold hands, yellow gold and Jubilee bracelet.

The detail of this watch, as indeed of all modern Rolex watches we have had the opportunity to present, is truly impressive. A closer look reveals jewellery-level craftsmanship, while the overall impression is very aristocratic. Starting with the refined dial – in the watch presented here, this is the so-called “White Roman Dial”, used by Rolex in not many models – and moving on to the classic sapphire crystal with “Cyclops”, everything is executed with the brand’s characteristic precision and attention to detail.

Of course, separate attention must be paid to the case and bezel – a noble combination of brushed and polished 904L steel of the highest class with 18-carat yellow gold. As you know, Rolex pay special attention to the steel they use and, for this purpose, have their own foundries for the production of all their alloys.

The bezel is in the brand’s characteristic “fluted” style, which gives the watch an incredible presence and has nothing in common with the other Datejust with the “smooth bezel” – they are simply different watches. This one has a striking presence on your wrist, and the fact that the bezel is made of 18-carat gold further reinforces the overall impression.

And of course, the bracelet, strap, chain or whatever you prefer to call it – as one would expect from a Rolex, it is genuinely good... In this case, we are talking about a Jubilee bracelet with solid links, elements made of 18-carat yellow gold and a solid clasp made from a single piece of steel, not from bent sheet metal as with most brands.