Rolex Datejust

A Timeless and Elegant Dress Watch

The Rolex Datejust is a perennial favorite. The watch was introduced in 1945, along with the five-link Jubilee bracelet, to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary, and has remained a part of the Geneva-based manufacturer's product portfolio ever since.

Rolex has launched countless versions of the Datejust since 1945, but one thing has remained the same: the Datejust is a sporty, elegant, automatic dress watch with three hands and a date display at 3 o'clock. These features not only give the Datejust its name, but also distinguish it from the Rolex Day-Date, which also has a weekday display, and the three-hand Oyster Perpetual.

Other characteristic features of the Datejust include the Oyster case, screw-down crown, and magnifying glass over the date. The latter, which enlarges the date display by a factor of 2.5, was introduced in the 1950s, and is often referred to by Rolex fans as the Cyclops lens.

With its Oyster case and screw-down crown, the Datejust is well protected against everyday water exposure. Modern versions of the watch are water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft), making them ideally suitable for the shower or pool. However, as the seals age over time and water resistance can be lost, it's important to get your Rolex Datejust serviced regularly.

Reasons to Buy a Rolex Datejust

• A timeless and iconic dress watch
• Automatic in-house caliber with a date display
• Certified chronometer
• Highly sought-after vintage models
• A wide range of designs

Variety of Datejust Designs

The Datejust is one of the most extensive collections in the entire Rolex catalog, offering an enormous selection of designs, diameters, materials, and dial variants.

Rolex Datejust 36 – The Classic

Thanks to its 36-mm case, the Datejust 36 comes closest to the original version. The watch's moderate diameter makes it the ideal unisex watch. Purists usually opt for models with a fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet, but Rolex also offers the watch with a smooth or diamond-set bezel and an Oyster bracelet.

The Datejust 36 comes in stainless steel and two-tone versions, with Rolex offering the latter in steel and rose or yellow gold. On stainless steel models with fluted bezels, the bezels are made of white gold, while the polished bezels are made of steel.

The Datejust 36 offers a wide range of dial options. Versions of the Datejust with a blue or green dial are particularly popular. Along with black, white, and anthracite, color options include champagne, pink, purple, and chocolate. Variants with a sunburst or patterned dial are also available. You can also choose between baton or diamond indices or Roman numerals.

Lady-Datejust – A Datejust for Ladies

The Rolex Lady-Datejust is aimed specifically at women. The watch speaks the same design language as other Datejust models, but is significantly smaller. Current models measure 28 mm in diameter, but some older variants measure just 26 mm across.

In addition to stainless steel and two-tone versions, the collection includes watches in yellow, rose, or white gold. While stainless steel and two-tone watches come with a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, Rolex fits gold versions of the Datejust with either a Jubilee or President bracelet. The line also includes “pavée” models with diamonds on the dial, case, and bracelet. Watch enthusiasts refer to these timepieces as "iced out".

The dial selection here is similar to that of the Datejust 36, whereby the Lady-Datejust offers a salmon-colored dial instead of blue.

Datejust 31 – The Alternative to the Lady-Datejust

Women can also opt for the Datejust 31, which, with its 31-mm case, offers a little more wrist presence and some interesting dial options.

The collection includes green, blue, and silver dials with abstract floral patterns, and models with dark mother-of-pearl dials.

Datejust for Men

Men who prefer a slightly larger watch will love the Datejust 41. As the name suggests, this watch has a case diameter of 41 mm. As with the Datejust 36, you can choose between a stainless steel or two-tone model with a fluted or polished bezel. The dial selection is also the same as that of the smaller variant.

The Datejust 41 succeeded the Datejust II in 2016. The two watches are only slightly different in appearance, but the Datejust 41 is powered by the caliber 3236, which offers improved shock protection over the caliber 3136 used in the Datejust II and a higher power reserve of 70 hours.

Rolex Datejust – Popular Variants at a Glance

• Rolex Datejust 36: Diameter of 36 mm, available in stainless steel and two-tone versions, Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, fluted, polished, or diamond-set bezel
• Rolex Datejust 41: Diameter of 41 mm, available in stainless steel and two-tone versions, Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, fluted or polished bezel
• Rolex Datejust II: Diameter of 41 mm, available in stainless steel and two-tone versions, Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, fluted or polished bezel
• Rolex Lady-Datejust: Diameter of 28 mm, available in stainless steel, two-tone, or white, yellow, or rose gold versions, Jubilee, President, or Oyster bracelet, fluted, polished, or diamond-set bezel
• Rolex Datejust 31: Diameter of 31 mm, available in stainless steel, two-tone, or white, yellow, or rose gold versions, Jubilee, President, or Oyster bracelet, fluted, polished, or diamond-set bezel
• Rolex Datejust Iced Out: Lady-Datejust with large diamonds on the dial, case, and bracelet

How much does a Rolex Datejust cost?

Prices for the Datejust vary as widely as the collection itself, and range from around 2,800 to 40,000 USD for standard models.

Stainless steel models in the current collection cost between 10,200 and 13,400 USD on Chrono24, with two-tone versions requiring a slightly higher investment of 13,400 USD to 20,200 USD. If you'd prefer a gold watch or a model with a diamond-set dial or bezel, expect to spend between 32,400 and 56,000 USD. Iced-out watches in the Lady-Datejust collection have the heftiest price tags, but not without reason: the dial, case, bezel, and bracelet on these timepieces are set with diamonds. Plan on shelling out approximately 112,000 USD for one of these models.

Vintage Datejust models change hands at similarly diverse price points. Well-maintained stainless steel specimens from the 1970s and 80s are the most affordable, starting at around 2,900 USD. Prices for earlier models from the 40s, 50s, and 60s range from 6,700 USD for stainless steel versions to around 22,400 USD for watches in gold.

Prices at a Glance: Rolex Datejust

Rolex on the Wrists of Presidents

Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower wore an 18-karat gold Datejust. The watch, ref. 6305, can be seen prominently on his wrist on the July 21, 1952 cover of Life Magazine. Eisenhower was the first American president to wear a Rolex watch. He received it as a gift from Rolex to commemorate their 150,000th chronometer and in honor of his service during World War II. The company had previously celebrated their 100,000th chronometer by giving a watch to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Konrad Adenauer, the first chancellor of West Germany, also received a Datejust from Hans Wilsdorf himself.

Eisenhower's model is personalized, with his initials (“DDE"”), the date (“12-19-1950”), and five stars engraved on the case back. The stars symbolize the military rank of a five-star general, which Eisenhower held as “General of the Army.” His initials also appear on the clasp.

Other prominent figures who've been spotted wearing a Datejust include Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, and the Dalai Lama.

FAQs

Is the Datejust a good investment?

Most Datejust models have good investment potential. A look at the market over a two-year period between late 2021 and late 2023 reveals that the Datejust increased in value by between 5% and 25%, depending on the model.

How long will I have to wait for a Datejust?

The waiting times for a Rolex Datejust at an authorized dealer depend heavily on the model you want and can range from a few weeks to several months. You can also buy a Datejust from an independent dealer without a long wait, but the prices here are slightly higher than the official Rolex MSRP.

What’s the most popular Datejust?

The most popular version of the Rolex Datejust is the Datejust 36, which comes closest to the 1945 original in terms of design and size and works well as a unisex watch. The Datejust 41 and Lady-Datejust are also popular.