datejust
Equestrian. Champion. History maker. Unquestionably, an inspiration.
A reign of achievement decorated in gold, silver and bronze. Clears obstacles with a confidence and grace seldom seen. And has the titles to prove it.
In 1947, commemorating the brand’s 100,000th officially certified chronometer, Hans Wilsdorf presented that selfsame Da-tejust to an illustrious gentleman he des-cribed as one of the greatest figures of our time. To this day, his identity has never been revealed.
A voice like silk. A presence to match. Revered Grammy? winner.
Inspired by the greats, he keeps the past beautifully present.
In 1945 at the dawn of a new era of prosperity, Rolex launched the first Datejust. The inaugural model with its waterproofness, streamlined elegance and date aperture on the face of the watch, was a timepiece ahead of its time.
The four simple words SUPERLATIVE CHRO-NOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED engraved on the timepiece’s dial mean that the move-ment of this watch has endured 15 days and nights of testing by the COSC (Con-tr?le Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), an independent not-for-profit association. To receive COSC certification, a watch must demonstrate extreme precision in a variety of positions and temperatures – the stan-dard level of quality for every Rolex Chro-nometer.
Very few people in the world are allowed inside a Rolex Oyster. Only authorised Ro-lex retailers have the necessary know-how, skills and equipment to gain access. Her-metically sealed to the case with a massive torque of five newton metres, the back of any Oyster, as this case back demonstrates, creates an environment that protects the movement from shocks, pressure, dust, water and any other intrusive element.
In the earliest models of the Datejust, the date would begin to change some hours before its midnight rendezvous. In 1955, the date-change mechanism became instantaneous, and the date aperture was enhanced with a Cyclops lens enabling magnification of the date by two and half times for easy reading.
In the beginning, the Oyster bezel fluting had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. The fluting was, furthermore, identical to the fluting on the caseback, which was also screwed onto the case for the same rea-son, using specific Rolex tools. The bezel evolved over time and later would be fric-tion fitted onto the crystal and the case. The fluting became a purely aesthetic ele-ment, a genuine Rolex signature feature. A mark of distinction that is only available on yellow, Everose or white gold models.
As far back as the 1920s, Rolex watches were available with a two-tone Bicolore gold case: mostly yellow or red gold paired with white gold or platinum. In 1933 the association of gold and steel was registered by Rolex under the name Rolesor. Three years after the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 1945, the model was presented for the first time in Rolesor. It met with immediate success, achieving the status of a legendary watch distinguishable at a glance. Today, the Datejust in Rolesor is available in various combinations: steel with white, yellow or Everose gold.
36 mm
COSC certification chronometer
Domed bezel
Sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m/330 feet
Self-winding
Jubilee bracelet with Crownclasp
Silver Dial
116200
36 mm
COSC certification chronometer Sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m/330 feet Self-winding
Oyster bracelet with Oysterclasp and Easylink comfort extension link
Black concentric design Dial
Domed bezel 116201
Black Dial Fluted bezel 116234
36 mm
COSC certification chronometer Fluted bezel Sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m/330 feet Self-winding
Jubilee bracelet with Crownclasp
White Dial 116238
Champagne Dial
116233
36 mm
COSC certification chronometer Fluted bezel Sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m/330 feet Self-winding
Leather strap with gold folding Oysterclasp
Silver deco Dial
116139
White Dial 116138
36 mm
COSC certification chronometer Rotatable fluted bezel Sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m/330 feet Self-winding
Slate Dial
Jubilee bracelet with Crownclasp
116263
White Dial
Oyster bracelet with Oysterclasp and Easylink
comfort extension link
116264
White Dial
Jubilee bracelet with Crownclasp
116261
41 mm
COSC certification chronometer Fluted bezel Sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m/330 feet Self-winding
Oyster bracelet with Oysterclasp and Easylink comfort extension link
Rhodium Dial 116334
Slate Dial
116333
All intellectual property rights such as TRADE MARKS, SERVICE MARKS, TRADE NAMES, DESIGNS, and COPYRIGHTS are reserved.
Nothing contained in this website may be reproduced without written permission.
Rolex reserves the right at all times to modify the models featured in the present website.