Dr. N.
One of the most popular models of the House of the Crown is certainly the Rolex Datejust. For the variety of the range in which it is offered, its simple and elegant line, its adaptability to every type of need, from sports to more formal ones and, last but not least, for being one of the Rolex more convenient.
But how was this widespread model born and what are the secrets of the success of the Rolex Datejust? Let's see it together, and understand why it was included in our list of three best luxury watches to give for Christmas!
Rolex Datejust: the origins
Il Rolex Datejust was born in 1945, when Rolex wants to combine all the features for which it is famous in the watchmaking field in a single watch: the case Oyster, the automatic movement Perpetual and the chronometric precision of its movements. To these already valuable characteristics, the Rolex Datejust adds another, from which the same name of the model comes: the indication of the date in a window at 3 o'clock.
What is so special about the date at 3 o'clock? The fact that it shoots at midnight specifies. Today it is considered the norm for the mechanical watch with a date display to show progress clearly, but when the Rolex Datejust this feature was not at all obvious. Most of the watches had a slow date transition, occupying the last and early hours at the turn of midnight, with unsightly "half numbers" visible.
Un Rolex Datejust vintage. As you can see, the even numbers of the days were in red, the odd ones in black. Collectors nickname the Rolex Datejust with this “Roulette” feature.
Rolex Datejust: the Cyclops lens
In 1954, Rolex marks another important step forward in the history of Datejust: the Cyclops lens is introduced, which has characterized the entire range ever since Rolex Datejust. The idea stems from a very practical reason: the crates of the time, smaller than the current fees, do not allow the installation of a large date disc. The date numbers are therefore too small to read comfortably. Thus, by applying a lens to the glass, the date number is enlarged and easy to read. This choice will then also be adopted by other watches of the House, such as the Rolex Submariner Date.
Rolex Datejust: the sapphire crystal
In 1975, it was introduced to the range Rolex Datejust the sapphire crystal. Unlike plexi glasses, sapphire is almost scratchproof: its surface hardness of 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale means that it can only be engraved by boron nitride or diamond. In fact, many Used Rolexes they have scratches along the case and bracelet, but the sapphire crystal applied to them still looks like new ...
Rolex Datejust today
The range Rolex Datejust today it is extraordinarily large. From the models Datejust Lady with a diameter of 31 millimeters, to the wide 41mm Datejust II, passing through what it probably is the ideal size for a men's Rolex Datejust, the 36mm, the measures satisfy any need. Not only that: the available finishes, from steel to yellow gold, from pink gold to steel and gold, the colored dials, the knurled or smooth bezels or embellished with diamonds ... In short, it is really difficult not to find the Rolex Datejust that's right for you. Add to that the reliable automatic movement Perpetual home Rolex and the cash register Oyster, renowned for its waterproofness, and there really won't be any situation where a Rolex Datejust may seem out of place.
And you, what do you think of Rolex Datejust and its history? Tell us in the comments!
