The Noteworthy Series: Rolex Date/Datejust l,II Review

By Worthy Staff | Mar 7th, 2019

The Rolex Date/Datejust made in both men’s and women’s sizes, is a mix of lines made of different metals (steel, steel/gold, gold) and sometimes combined with precious stones and diamonds. These models exist in a variety of sizes, bracelets and dial combinations. As they all share the date display feature, they can be considered one big happy family.

All About Rolex Watches

Other Rolex Model Reviews
Air King · Cellini · Date/Datejust · Daytona Cosmograph · Explorer · GMT Master & GMT Master II · Milgauss · Presidential

More About Rolex Watches On Worthy
Top 9 Rolex Auctions on Worthy · Rolex As A Smart Investment · How To Spot A Fake Rolex · Most Popular Rolex Watches · James Bond’s Rolex Watches

All of these models are automatic (except the OysterQuartz) with a screw down back and screw down crown and, as they all show the date, the crystal includes a magnifying glass at the aperture at 3 o’clock. They are also all water resistant up to 100 meters.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Review & History

The Oyster Perpetual Collection has a long and distinguished heritage stretching back to the original Oyster model invented and patented by Rolex in 1926. It was the first waterproof wristwatch in the world and it led the way to increasingly sophisticated developments in functionality. Over the years, the Oyster became the proud bearer of many other innovations. The Oyster Perpetual Date, first launched in the late 1950s, was one of the first watches to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock on the dial. This fulfilled Hans Wilsdorf’s (founder of Rolex) dreams of producing timepieces that were not only beautiful to look at but were also highly useful and functional. Housed in Rolex’s legendary oyster case, the Date is 34 mm in diameter and is water-proof to 100 meters (330 feet). It has a mechanical movement and is self-winding, by means of a perpetual rotor. Once offered in three metal combinations including steel and 18 carat yellow gold, it is currently only available in white Rolesor, a patented combination of 904L stainless steel and 18 carat white gold. The Oyster Perpetual Date represents a classic part of watch-making history and is a perennial favorite for those looking to enter the legendary world of Rolex.

Rolex Date Reference Numbers:

115234, 115210, 115200, 15505, 15238, 15233, 15223, 15210, 15203, 15200, 15053, 15038, 15037, 15010, 15000, 6627, 6605, 6534, 6518, 6335, 6075, 5075, 1625, 1603, 1570, 1560, 1550, 1505, 1503, 1501, 1500

Rolex Date – Current retail (MSRP):

$6,300 to $8,350

Rolex Datejust Review & History

The Rolex Datejust was introduced back in 1945. It differed minimally from the Rolex Bubbleback in that it featured a date function at the three o’clock position. It was also slightly thicker than the Bubbleback to accommodate the date wheel, which had alternating red and black date markers showing odd and even days. The Datejust was designed with an iconic, coin-edge bezel and pie-pan dial. The coin edge bezel evolved into what is now known as the Rolex Fluted Bezel. Another innovation, first seen in the Datejust was the Cyclops feature, which is a magnified window showing the date. The Thunderbird Datejust is a special model featuring a Rolex “Turn-O-Graph” bezel and the red second hand. The Datejust was Rolex’s premier watch until 1956 when the Day-Date President took its place. A new 3135 movement with a quick set feature was introduced in the Datejust in the 1970s, necessitating a smaller profile, new case and dial design. A sapphire crystal replaced the acrylic one to solidify the Datejust’s now classic face. Many decades later, the Datejust is still one of the most popular watches in the Rolex line-up and is available in a variety of designs and sizes including fluted and domed (smooth) bezels. Precious metals include steel, white Rolesor (steel and white gold), steel and yellow gold, steel and Everose gold, yellow gold and Everose gold with diamonds. The Datejust comes in 4 sizes Lady 26mm (aka Ladies Date/Datejust), Mid-size 31mm, Men’s 36mm, and Datejust II at 41mm.

Rolex Datejust Reference Numbers:

166201, 116244, 116243, 116238, 116234, 116233, 116231, 116208, 116203, 116201, 116200, 116199, 116189,116188, 116139, 116138, 17014, 17013, 17000, 16364, 16250, 16248, 16238, 16234, 16233, 16220, 16203, 16200, 16078, 16030, 16018, 16014, 16013, 16000, 6827, 6605, 6604, 6518, 6305, 1630, 1607, 1603, 1601, 1600

Rolex Mid-Size Datejust Reference Numbers:

178383, 178313, 178288, 178286, 178279, 178278, 178275, 178274, 178273, 178269, 178248, 178246, 178245, 178243, 178240, 178239, 178238, 178159, 178158, 81339, 81338, 81308, 81209, 81208, 81158, 78288, 78286, 78279, 78278, 78274, 78273, 78266, 78248, 78246, 78243, 78240, 77438, 77080, 77014, 68278, 68274, 68273, 68248, 68243, 68240, 17824, 7518, 6824

Rolex OysterQuartz Datejust Reference Numbers:

17014, 17013, 17000

Datejust Turn-O-Graph (Thunderbird) Reference Numbers:

116264, 116263, 116261, 16268, 16264, 16263, 16253, 6309, 1625

Ladies Rolex Datejust Reference Numbers:

6516, 6517, 6519, 6916, 6917, 6919, 6927

69xxx (xxx=136, 160, 163, 173, 174, 178, 179, 190, 240, 278)

79xxx (xxx=068, 078, 079, 088, 089, 126, 136, 138, 158, 159, 160, 163, 166, 168, 173, 174, 178, 179, 190, 238, 240 288)

80xxx (xxx=288, 298, 299, 309, 318, 319, 328, 329, 359)

179xxx (xxx=136, 158, 159, 160, 161, 163, 165, 166, 168, 171, 173, 174, 175, 178, 179, 239, 298, 313, 368, 459)

Sell Your Rolex

Rolex Datejust II Review

The Datejust II is a watch with contemporary appeal, built upon the distinguished heritage of the classic Datejust. The size of the Rolex Datejust ll is 41mm, making it the largest watch in this series. This edition was launched back in 2009 with the latest Rolex innovations housed in a bolder case. Unmistakably a Rolex with its classic date window and Cyclops magnifying lens, it is powered by a high-precision self-winding mechanical movement which is officially certified as a Swiss Chronometer and entirely manufactured by Rolex. Recognized and admired the world over, the Datejust II is a timeless, legendary watch that will never go out of style.

Rolex Datejust ll Reference Numbers:

116334, 116333

Rolex Datejust ll – Current retail (MSRP)

Men’s:

Stainless steel with domed bezel on Oyster bracelet (add $100 for Jubilee bracelet) – from $6,600

18k white gold bezel model with diamond markers and Jubilee bracelet starts at $7,850 to $9,900.

Ladies:

Current steel Datejust from $6,100.

Datejust with white gold bezel – $7,250.

Gold & steel two-tone models start at $8,200 and up to $18,650 for diamond marker dial and 46 diamond bezel.

Rolex Datejust NoteWorthy facts:

• Originally called the Jubilee Datejust, as it was released to commemorate Rolex’s 40th anniversary.
  
• The Datejust Turn-o-Graph model made its debut in 1955. It received its nickname, “Thunderbird” because it was given as an award to US Air Force pilots after combat missions.

Rolex Datejust NoteWorthy Owners:

• NBC Nightly News anchor, Brian Williams wears a Datejust
  
• Actress Sharon Stone also wears one
  
• Jennifer Aniston has a collection of Rolexes including a Datejust.
  
• An 18-karat gold Rolex Datejust that belonged to Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States was recently up for action
  

If you are looking to expand your collection and buy a Rolex watch, it is important that you know how to spot a fake Rolex, and make sure that you buy a genuine certified watch.