First introduced in 1945 as a means to commemorate the company’s 40th anniversary, the Datejust is one of Rolex’s oldest lines of watches, and still remains in production today. While a date display has become completely standard on most contemporary timepieces, the Rolex Datejust was the world’s very first self-winding wristwatch to feature a date window that would automatically change over at midnight. Although its functionality may now seem somewhat commonplace, it was the Datejust that set the standard for how a date complication on a wristwatch should function.
The Datejust first made its appearance as the reference 4467; however, it was not until the 1950s that the “Datejust” name actually started to be used on the dial. By the late 50s, Rolex had introduced their Caliber 1560 movement, which would usher in a new generation in the form of the reference 1600 series. By this point, the basic appearance of the Datejust was set. Its name had become a permanent fixture on the dial, and other features such as the hands, bezel, hour markers, and crystal with cyclops magnification lens took forms that are still very much present on the watches that Rolex manufactures today.
The next major update to the Datejust came during the late 1970s, when Rolex introduced their Caliber 3035 movement. The new generation of Datejust watches added the ‘quickset’ date feature, which enabled users to independently adjust the date display from the hands displaying the time. Within this generation of Datejust watches, the reference 16013 is the classic stainless steel and yellow gold variant fitted with Rolex’s iconic fluted bezel. Although the crystals on this generation of Datejust watches were still made from acrylic, the sloped “pie pan” style dial from the previous generation was gone and replaced by one with a completely flat surface, like the dials that are still used today.
A little over a decade later in 1988, Rolex unveiled a new generation of Datejust that was based around their Caliber 3135 movement. Although it was virtually identical to the previous generation in terms of functionality, the Caliber 3135 offered a number of improvements that promised better timekeeping and reliability. With it came the reference 16233, and while the watch featured a brand-new movement, possibly the most significant change to accompany this new generation of Datejust was its crystal, which was now made from scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire.
The next big shift came in 2009 with the arrival of the Datejust II. For decades, the standard men’s Datejust measured 36mm; however, with the introduction of the Datejust II, Rolex had added a 41mm version to be offered alongside the standard 36mm model. The reference 116333 and its accompanying variations were very much the same watch that people had come to know and love; however to fit its larger case, this generation was fitted with the Rolex’s Caliber 3136 movement, and exclusively fitted with an Oyster bracelet, unlike the 36mm version, which was available on either an Oyster or a Jubilee.
While the 41mm Datejust II satisfied the public’s request for a larger watch, the new timepiece didn’t immediately catch on. After several short years, the plug was pulled on the Datejust II; however, it resurfaced in 2016 under the Datejust 41 name, with a new reference number, a new movement, and minor aesthetic revisions. The Datejust 41 continues to remain in production today alongside its various siblings ranging in size from 28mm to 41mm, and is available in a wide variety of different metal combinations. Additionally, the Datejust collection is available with more dial, bezel, and bracelet options than any other line of Rolex watches, guaranteeing that there is a perfect Rolex Datejust for just about every wrist size and taste.
Rolex Datejust: www.bobswatche...
Rolex: www.bobswatche...
2 окт 2024
