Rolex Datejust

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Rolex Datejust
36mm - Reference 126234 - Stainless Steel Jubilee Bracelet - Fluted Bezel - Black Dial

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust is a self-winding chronometer manufactured by Rolex. Launched in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to indicate the date in a window on the dial.[1][2] Today, it is available in a variety of sizes from 28mm to 41mm, in stainless steel, two-tone gold, and solid gold versions.[3]

History[edit]

Rolex introduced the original Datejust (reference 4467) in 1945 to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary.[4] It was available only in 18 karat yellow gold and had a small bubble back winder with a domed back. It also featured the company's waterproof Oyster case (first introduced in 1926[4]), a fluted bezel, and the new Jubilee bracelet (so named for the occasion).[5][4]

Over the years, the Datejust saw an expansion of its design options as well as improvements to its movement, from a gradual date change shortly before midnight in the earliest versions to an instantaneous change beginning in 1955.[6]

The Datejust is offered with two Rolex bracelets: the Jubilee and the Oyster. The original Datejust was launched with a case size of 36mm.[7] Subsequently, various sizes including ladies' and mid-sized versions were made available. The Turn-O-Graph model was introduced in 1955 as an award given to US Air Force pilots returning from combat missions. It featured a rotating bezel marked to 60 minutes, which can be used to measure time intervals. Datejust watches of this type have been nicknamed "Thunderbirds". This watch would form the basis for the Rolex Explorer (designed for Sir Edmund Hillary's Mount Everest expedition), the Rolex Submariner, and the Rolex Sea-Dweller.[2]

In 2009, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust II was released. At 41mm in diameter (excluding the crown) its case is bigger than the original Datejust.[8]

In 2016, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 was released.[9] The watch comes in stainless steel, and two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow or 18k everose gold (Rolex's version of rose gold) bracelets. The 2016 41mm Datejust is on an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet. While the Datejust 41 has a similar-sized 41mm diameter case as the Datejust II, the Datejust 41 has smaller indexes and a thinner bezel compared to the Datejust II.[10]

In this year, Rolex also introduced the new Caliber 3235 movement, which replaces more than 90% of the parts of its predecessor, the Caliber 3135 - Rolex’s longest running and most successful movement. Caliber 3235 includes a new escapement, the Chronergy, along with other significant improvements, and provides a 70-hour power reserve while maintaining the same dimensions as its predecessor.[11]

At Baselworld 2015, Rolex announced that the Lady-Datejust 26mm would be replaced by a newer 28mm variant, with a new Caliber 2236 movement, refined lugs and middle case, a broad and clear dial, as well as a President or Jubilee bracelet integrated into the Oyster case.[12]

As of 2019, the Datejust lineup consists of the following sizes: 28mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, 41mm - which come in either full stainless steel, two-tone gold (yellow, Everose or white) and stainless steel, or solid gold (yellow, Everose and white) case and bracelet.[13]

In popular culture[edit]

In the book version of American Psycho, Patrick Bateman owns an unspecified Rolex.[14] In the movie version, Bateman (played by Christian Bale) wears a two-tone Seiko 5 that resembles a Rolex Datejust, as Rolex did not want to be associated with the character.[15]

In The Informers some of the cast wear Datejust watches.[16]

The actor Paul Newman, was seen wearing a full stainless steel 36mm Datejust in The Color of Money.[17]

Harrison Ford sports a Datejust 36mm in the 1980s movie Frantic, which featured a white Roman numeral dial, white gold bezel and stainless steel jubilee bracelet and case.[18]

Bill Murray's character wears a Datejust with a black dial in Lost in Translation.[19]

Matthew McConaughey’s character in The Wolf of Wall Street wears a 90’s Rolesor Datejust.[20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Edwards, Frank (1997). Wristwatches: A Connoisseur's Guide. New York: Firefly. pp. 160. ISBN 978-1-55209-083-1.
  2. ^ a b Brozek, John E. (2002). The Rolex Report: An Unauthorized Reference Book For The Rolex Enthusiast. New York: Infoquest. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-9723133-0-8.
  3. ^ "Your Cheat Sheet to the New Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lineup". Bloomberg.com. 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  4. ^ a b c "A Week On The Wrist: The Rolex Datejust". www.hodinkee.com.
  5. ^ "Rolex Datejust: A casual Luxury Watch with Legendary Status". Buy & Sell | Pre-owned Certified Luxury Watches - Rolex, Cartier and many More. 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  6. ^ "WatchTime Wednesday: The History of the Rolex Datejust". Monochrome Watches. 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  7. ^ "History of the Rolex Datejust". Bob's Watches. 2014-06-14. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  8. ^ "Rolex Datejust Watch - Rolex Swiss Luxury Watches". Rolex.
  9. ^ "DATEJUST II OR DATEJUST 41 - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?". www.chronofinder.com.
  10. ^ "Full Review - The new Rolex Datejust 41 from Baselworld 2016, with new case, new 3235 movement and comeback of the Jubilee (live pics & price)". Monochrome Watches. 12 April 2016.
  11. ^ "The Rolex Caliber 3235". beckertime.com. BeckerTime. 22 August 2017.
  12. ^ "BASELWORLD 2015: THE NEW LADY-DATEJUST 28MM, A TIMELESS CLASSIC REVISITED". getrealluxury.com. GetRealLuxury. 30 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Datejust". rolex.com. Rolex. 10 July 2019.
  14. ^ "The American Psycho watch". Esquire Middle East.
  15. ^ "Turns out Christian Bale wasn't wearing a Rolex in American Psycho". British GQ. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  16. ^ "The Classic Rolex Datejust – Patrick Bateman's Choice". fratellowatches.com. 23 May 2012.
  17. ^ "Jakes Rolex: Aurel Bacs".
  18. ^ "Every Rolex Tells a Story".
  19. ^ "eBay luxury watch of the week".
  20. ^ "The Most Famous and Iconic Movie Watches of All Time (That You Might Have Missed) | DHGATE Watches". 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
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