Rolex Datejust

The Rolex Datejust is a perennial favorite. The watch was introduced in 1945, together with the five-link Jubilee bracelet, to mark the company's 40th anniversary, and has been part of the Geneva-based manufacturer's product portfolio without interruption ever since.

Rolex has launched countless versions of the Datejust since 1945, but one thing has always remained the same: the Datejust is a sporty, elegant, self-winding dress watch with three hands and a date display at 3 o'clock. These features not only gave the Datejust its name, they also distinguish the watch 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.

Its Oyster case and screw-down crown ensure that the Datejust is well-protected against everyday exposure to water. Modern versions of the watch are water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft), making them ideally equipped 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.

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 generally 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. Polished bezels are made of stainless steel, while fluted bezels are made of white gold.

The Datejust 36 offers a wide range of dial options. Datejust models with blue or green dials are particularly popular. Along with black, white, and anthracite, other 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: The Datejust for Ladies

The Rolex Lady-Datejust is aimed specifically at ladies. 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 on 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 salmon-colored dials 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 line includes green, blue, and silver dials with abstract floral patterns, and models with dark mother-of-pearl dials.

The Datejust for Men

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

The Datejust 41 succeeded the Datejust II in 2016. The two watches differ only minimally on the outside, but the Datejust 41 is powered by the caliber 3236, which offers improved shock protection compared to the Datejust II's caliber 3136 and a higher power reserve of 70 hours.

Prices for a Datejust vary as widely as the collection itself, and range between around 2,750 and 41,000 USD for standard models.

Stainless steel models in the current collection cost between 9,000 and 13,700 USD on Chrono24, with two-tone versions demanding a somewhat larger investment of around 10,300 to 19,800 USD. If you'd prefer a gold watch or a model with a diamond-set dial or bezel, expect to pay between 23,500 and 40,500 USD. Iced-out watches in the Lady-Datejust collection have the heftiest price tag, but not without reason: the dial, case, bezel, and bracelet on these timepieces are set with diamonds. Plan to spend approximately 110,000 USD on one of these models.

Vintage Datejust models change hands at similarly diverse price points. Well-maintained stainless steel timepieces from the 1970s and 80s are the most affordable, starting at around 2,700 USD. Prices for earlier models from the 40s, 50s, and 60s range from 6,500 USD for stainless steel timepieces to around 21,500 USD for watches in gold.

Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower wore an 18-karat gold Datejust. You can see the watch, a ref. 6305, sitting prominently on his wrist on the cover of Life Magazine from July 21, 1952. Eisenhower was the first American president to wear a Rolex watch. He received it as a gift from Rolex on the occasion of their 150,000th chronometer and in honor of his efforts in 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 was specially customized. Its case back is engraved with his initials (DDE), the date (12-19-1950), as well as five stars symbolizing his rank as a five-star general in the US army. His initials also appear on the bracelet's clasp.

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

Is the Datejust a good investment?

Most Datejust models have the potential to make good investments. 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 MSRP.

Which Datejust is the most popular?

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