Oyster Perpetual
Make a date of a day
No one day is like another
Any day can leave a lasting mark on our lives and set the stage for new aspirations. Since its creation in 1945, the Datejust has continued to reinvent itself while symbolizing Rolex’s definition of classic elegance. A milestone in watchmaking history, it was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to feature a window displaying the date. Magnified by the Cyclops lens, these numbers are a reminder that though 24 hours mark a day, it’s on us to make those a date to remember.
The birth of a unique vision, crowning a long-standing ambition.
The date: a modern milestone
Launched in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch with a window displaying the date at 3 o’clock on the dial. This unique combination was further enhanced in 1953 with the magnifying effect of the Cyclops lens on the display. With these inventions, the Datejust embodied the quest for excellence of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, who believed that watchmaking progress should encourage human progress. In an era of great change, our relationship with time is shifting. Modern life is less connected to the seasons as we move to the rhythm of the passing days. The Datejust offers comfort as well as legibility and daily time management. Useful and practical, it was soon established as a precious instrument for the modern, independent, active wearer.
This is the pinnacle of watchmaking science. It encapsulates every discovery made to date.
Iconic technical innovations
Described by Hans Wilsdorf as a technical feat, encapsulating all Rolex innovation to date, the Datejust also embodies a harmonious and classic elegance. Its inimitable and timeless style was enhanced with the special Jubilee bracelet, designed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Rolex. Featuring rows of five metal links, it is known for its fluid contours and elegant clasp, which bring further distinction to the model. In 1957, a woman’s version with a diameter of 26 mm (today 28 mm) was released: the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust. As reliable as the Datejust, it concentrates all the attributes of the original model.
Continually updated standards
Regular new releases of the Datejust mean this watchmaking icon is constantly reinventing itself. With its varied reinterpretations, it expresses and showcases Rolex’s expertise in dial-making. Set with diamonds or crafted from mother of pearl, adorned with palm or fluted motifs, or featuring a sunray finish, the selection of dials helps uphold its reputation. The same is true of its bezels – smooth, domed, fluted or diamond-set – with which the Datejust has stylishly spanned eras while perfectly adapting to the personality of its wearers.
A daily celebration of these "special dates" with destiny
A witness to world affairs
Reflecting the aspirations of the modern world, the Datejust has naturally become the watch of our dates with destiny. Day after day, its dial marks a meeting point between the personal course of each wearer and the passing of time. Seen on the wrists of major figures such as Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Martin Luther King, the Datejust has spanned eras without ever losing its modern touch. Symbolizing this ongoing connection with time, the Datejust’s window looks out onto the world.
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