Rolex Datejust

The first ever Rolex Datejust referencing number 4467 was only available in yellow gold. With a matching yellow gold Jubilee bracelet but without the well-known Cyclops lens. This lens displays the date by a 2.5 factor so everyone could read today’s date. This very first Rolex Datejust dial was cream colored with gold indices. The date window is from the start at 3 o’clock. With the earlier models, there is an inscription that reads ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual’ at 12 o’clock, while there is another inscription on 6 o’clock reading ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’.

The ‘Datejust’ inscription only began appearing on the dials of reference numbers 5030 and 5031. From reference numbers 6074 and 6075 it became established on every dial. Back in the days, the bezel was always fluted and made of gold.

There were a lot of presidents in the world’s history wearing a Rolex Datejust. Former US President Dwight Eisenhower wore an 18-karat gold Datejust. There was a cover shoot for Life Magazine in July 1952, where you can easily spot this watch. Rolex gave this watch as a present on the occasion of their 150.000th chronometer.

Rolex used to do this more often: Winston Churchill also received a Rolex Datejust when Rolex reached 50.000 chronometers. Konrad Adenauer, former first chancellor of West Germany also received a Datejust. More recent, the Dalai Lama, Ronald Reagan and Martin Luther King Jr. also were seen wearing a beautiful Rolex Datejust.

Since the Datejust is such a popular model, you can find it in various designs, colors and materials. And even measurements: starting from a Lady Datejust measuring 28mm, 31mm or the unisex 36mm. More recent, Rolex designed the Rolex Datejust II 41mm.

These Rolex Datejust models were available in different types of colors, designs and bezels. Back in the day the bezel was always fluted and made of (white) gold. One of the most iconic aspects from the Rolex Datejust is the Jubilee bracelet. This bracelet is available in steel, gold/steel or rose gold/steel. Later on, the Oystersteel bracelet was made in these two-tone colors as well.

Since the mid 1930s Rolex has been referring to their two-tone Datejusts as ‘Rolesor’. A perfect example of a current model with a classic design is the 36mm referenced 126233. Fluted bezel, Jubilee bracelet in two-tone gold/steel and a silver dial with beautiful sunburst pattern

In 2021, Rolex added a lot of new designs to the Rolex Datejust. Olive green dials, palm motif, gold, or fluted motif. The palm dial takes its inspiration from the tropical rainforest, as you can imagine.

Back in 2009, Rolex expanded the production of the Datejust with a 41mm version called the Datejust II. It has a larger case and Rolex developed a new caliber specifically for this watch to make sure the proportions were right. A larger base plate in the caliber 3136, 48 hours of power reserve and of course the COSC: Offical Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

A couple of years later, in 2016, Rolex replaced the Rolex Datejust II with the Rolex Datejust 41. It uses a different caliber then the Rolex Datejust II, but it still measures 41mm as you can tell from the name. Two-tone models, Everose (rose gold) or white gold were featured on this newer model.

We can imagine that it could be tricky to pick your favorite Rolex Datejust, matching your style. The good thing with these Rolex Datejusts is that you really can’t go wrong. Almost every Rolex Datejust can be worn with any occasion or style. 

If you identify as a woman and you would love to wear the smaller watches, you could take a look at the Rolex Lady Datejust, measuring 28 or 31mm. The unisex, 36mm, is always a good idea if you want to wear the watch daily. For the bigger wrists, the Datejust II or Datejust 41 is probably the best choice.