- The first Rolex Datejust was released in 1945.
- The Datejust was the first Rolex to introduce the now iconic Jubilee bracelet.
- It has since become one of the brand’s flagship models.
Since its inception in London at the turn of the 20th Century, few luxury watchmakers have been able to come close to Rolex, one of the world’s most popular, yet exclusive, brands. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, Rolex earned its name as Wilsdorf wanted the name to be universal across the globe and short enough to adorn the dials of the watches. Rolex was onomatopoeic, mirroring the sound of a watch being wound.
Whether it’s the iconic Submariner, the elegant Day-Date, or the trailblazing GMT-Master II, there’s a Rolex watch for everyone. They’re not just tools for telling time, but emblematic of an individual’s achievement and status. The prices may change with each horological year, but Rolex’s inherent appeal is notably timeless.
In this Rolex Datejust article.
Features of the 2024 Rolex Datejust
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $14,200 AUD – $17,600 AUD |
| Case Diameter | 31mm, 36mm, 41mm |
| Materials | Oystersteel, 18k white gold, yellow gold, Everose gold |
| Functions | Time, running seconds, date function with instantaneous date change |
| Dial Options | Bright blue, slate, bright black, mint green, silver, white; with variations in hour markers including rectangular baton indexes, Roman numerals, and diamonds |
| Bezel | Fluted, domed |
| Movement | Rolex Calibre 3235, automatic movement with approximately 70-hour power reserve |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres / 330 feet |
| Bracelet | Available with Oyster or Jubilee bracelet, both featuring the Oysterclasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link |
A Brief History of the Rolex Datejust
First introduced in 1945, the Rolex Datejust holds a special place in horological history as the first automatic wristwatch to feature a date display that changed automatically at midnight. This small detail, which we all undoubtedly take advantage of today, revolutionised the watchmaking industry. Prior to this, watches with date displays required manual adjustment or displayed the date gradually. It was clanky, inaccurate and frankly inadequate.
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This groundbreaking feature was made possible by Rolex’s Perpetual movement and cemented Rolex’s early position as an industry leader within haute horlogerie – a status maintained to this day.
The first Datejust was unveiled as part of the celebration of Rolex’s 40th anniversary and was exclusively available in 36mm and made entirely of gold until the collection later expanded to include other sizes and precious materials. Each Datejust utilised the now-iconic Jubilee bracelet since its release, offering Rolex wearers an original design that still maintained the brand’s signature comfort and appeal.
The Datejust in Popular Culture
From world leaders like Winston Churchill, who famously wore a gold Datejust during his tenure as the British prime minister, to cultural icons such as Paul Newman, the Rolex Datejust has been a mainstay in popular culture since its release in the mid-century – an innovative piece of horological history favoured by high-profile celebrities more than 75 years later.
In the realm of cinema, the Datejust’s timeless elegance has made it a go-to choice for costume designers aiming to depict affluence and taste. In American Psycho, for example, Christian Bale’s character’s obsession with status and luxury is reflected through his choice of timepiece (although we can’t say for certain that it was linked to Bateman’s tendencies).
Similarly, in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 gangster flick Goodfellas, Paul Sorvino’s character dons a gold Datejust to embody the opulence of the mobster lifestyle.
Connection to Sport
While the Rolex Datejust is not inherently a sports watch like the Rolex Submariner or Daytona, it holds an undeniable connection to the world of sports, often gifted to champions and high performers for their enduring achievements.
Its inherent style and glamour have seen the Rolex Datejust become one of the most sought-after pieces within a collector’s catalogue. With this year’s Australian Open resuming in Melbourne, Australia, the Rolex Datejust has found a new home in the world of tennis, with Rolex ambassador Roger Federer famously wearing the watch during trophy presentations. Scroll up, that’s Roger’s wrist in the image.
Similarly, the Datejust has appeared at numerous prestigious events, including golf tournaments like The Open Championship, where Rolex continues to serve as the official timekeeper.
Where to Buy a Rolex Datejust
The Rolex Datejust, like most Rolex models, can be purchased at official Rolex boutiques and authorised Rolex retailers like Kennedy in Australia. Of course, it can be difficult to get your hands on new models these days, with waiting lists hitting record-breaking highs amid limited supply and increased demand.
Alternatively, you can source your desired model from a trusted reseller like Chrono24. It’s a different experience, certainly. But you can find the exact model and year you want without having to wait for limited availability in-store.
1. Rolex Datejust (1945) Ref. 4467
Often referred to as the “Golden Jubilee,” commemorating Rolex’s 40th anniversary, the first Rolex Datejust was released in 1945 and has since become one of the Swiss manufactures most iconic references in history. This model revolutionised watchmaking by introducing the instantaneous date-change mechanism, setting a new standard for wristwatches that we still use to this day. Before this, wearers would have to manually adjust their watches each day to align with the correct date – a long and tedious task to have to do every morning.
As the original Datejust, Ref. 4467 is a piece of horological history and has become a grail piece for collectors. It was exclusively available in yellow gold and was the first time that the brand’s now-iconic Jubilee bracelet was featured on Rolex wristwatches.
Rolex Datejust (1959) Ref. 1601
The 1601 saw Rolex introduce the now-iconic fluted bezel to the Datejust for the first time. Originally, the fluting of the Oyster bezel served to screw the bezel onto the case to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. It has since become a defining feature of this collection – an enduring marker of quality, elegance and luxury.
Nicknamed the “Pie-Pan Datejust” for its concave dial design that resembled a pie pan (we know, there are certainly more inspired monikers given to Rolex models throughout the years), this 1959 release was the embodiment of mid-century Rolex craftsmanship, complete with a Rolesor design (a mix of stainless steel and gold) which gave it a timeless aesthetic.
Notably, this was the first Rolex watch to feature the Cyclops lens over the date, a small convex lens that is placed on the crystal to magnify the date.
Rolex Datejust (1988) Ref. 16233
In the late ’80s, Rolex introduced the Calibre 3135 movement to the two-tone Datejust for the first time, an in-house COSC-certified automatic movement that would go on to serve as the flagship movement for Rolex watches for the next 30 years, surmounted in 2015 by the 3235.
This legendary movement earned the 16233 a reputation as one of the Swiss brand’s most reliable and versatile pieces in its catalogue, combining traditional design with modern engineering to attract collectors across the globe.
Rolex Datejust (2017) Ref. 126334
The current flagship model of the Datejust line, the Ref. 126334 is an undeniable favourite amongst the watch community; an amalgamation of all the Datejusts that have come before it. It boasts the same revered lineage as its predecessors, featuring the brand’s iconic Rolesor (stainless steel and 18k white gold) design with the Oyster or Jubilee bracelet.
Under the hood, the 126334 is powered by the state-of-the-art Calibre 3235, the latest generation of in-house movements from Rolex that the Swiss brand claims is two times more precise than an officially certified chronometer. Available in 31mm, the classic 36mm and 41mm for today’s contemporary tastes, this modern release is the pinnacle of the Datejust collection and a worthy inclusion to this list of most popular models.
