Guide: Rolex Datejust – a quick guide

Text: Albin Johansson
Image: Adam Johnson

One of Rolex most famous models is without doubt the classic Rolex Datejust. The standard version with a case of 36 mm and a jubilee bracelet that often comes in gold and steel is one of the easier watches to recognise from a distance. And also one of the watch world's real icons. That the Rolex Datejust turned 75 last year moreover makes it well worth looking at a little closer. Eqotime’s Albin Johansson gives you here a quick guide to the Rolex Datejust.

The Rolex Datejust may be a classic. But it has been developed a good deal further through the years. And nowadays there is an abundance of variants to take part of and also a 41mm version, the so-called Datejust II. Eqotime gives you here an introduction to the Rolex Datejust.

The Datejust as a model was launched in connection with Rolex's 40th anniversary in 1945. The ”jubilee” bracelet that the watch was delivered with as standard was also launched in connection with this. Hence the name jubilee. Contrary to what you might think the first Datejust came only in solid gold, had a white dial, no Datejust marking and with a plexiglass crystal without magnification for the date. The reference is called 4467 and the watch came on a jubilee in solid gold as standard. Significant for the watch was also a water-sealed, so-called oyster case with a screwed crown, a date dial at three o'clock, and a Chronometer-rated automatic movement.

After the launch the model was developed regularly up until the middle of the 50s when one of the first references in the more typical datejust version was launched. This had the reference 6305. And by typical version we here mean a case in steel, a fluted bezel and a jubilee bracelet in steel.

The Datejus was with its size and its functions a modern men's watch that through the years has been updated continuously. Up until today a number of different references and versions have been launched. The steel versions are today called 116234 on a jubilee bracelet and 116200 on an oyster bracelet. These models are still 36mm and have received several upgrades regarding the movement, crystal, bracelets and other things. But if you look at the big picture the 2020 model stands surprisingly faithful to the original. And it is no exaggeration to say that the fundamental essence of the watch has been well managed by Rolex.

Even more Datejust!

If you can't get enough of the Rolex Datejust we recommend a listen through of Urbildningsradion's Datejust special together with Kaplans Auktioner.