27 Facts About Rolex Datejust
The Datejust is one of Rolex’s most iconic and distinct timepieces. As a matter of fact, the Datejust is the model that Rolex sells the most of, with all of its many variants and versions.
Launched in 1945, the Datejust has undergone a lot of changes and refinements over the years, but its ethos and original design language still remain. The classic and distinct shape and lines of the Datejust still live on, proving it a truly timeless watch.
In this article, we are looking closer at some interesting facts about the Rolex Datejust – Rolex’s most popular model.
Facts about Rolex Datejust
1. The Rolex Datejust was the first self-winding (automatic) wristwatch to indicate the date in a window on the dial
The Rolex Datejust was revolutionary when it launched, and is only one of Rolex’s many innovations.
2. The Datejust was released to celebrate Rolex’s 40th anniversary
The watch was equipped with Rolex’s new style and design of bracelet -the Jubilee bracelet. The bracelet acquired the name due to the jubilee occasion.
3. The first Datejust was unveiled in 1945 at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva by Hans Wilsdorf, the original founder of Rolex
4. The first Datejust, launched in 1945 was the reference 4467
This watch was made in full gold and featured a full gold Jubilee bracelet. It was equipped with dauphine hands and a date window placed at 3 o’clock.
5. The Datejust has been offered on the president bracelet on some watches
The Datejust is mostly associated with the Jubilee bracelet (which was developed especially for the watch for Rolex’s 40-year anniversary). Today, the Datejust is available both on the Jubilee bracelet and Oyster bracelet. Surprisingly is that it is still available on the President bracelet for a limited number of ladies’ versions, but due to being available only as a ladies’ version, it is not a widely known fact.
6. Chuck Yeager wore a Rolex Datejust when he broke the sound barrier
7. The first Datejust was made in solid gold
Today, the Datejust is not available in full gold. This is reserved for the Day-Date. The Datejust is today available in full stainless steel and two-tone (a combination of gold and steel), but not solid gold.
8. The first Datejust did not feature the name ”Datejust” on the dial
9. The Datejust was first equipped with a sapphire crystal in 1988
Previously, Rolex used acrylic crystal which is a material that tends to scratch quite easily.
10. The Datejust range is Rolex’s most-sold model
Due to the countless of many variations, there is a Rolex Datejust for everyone. As a result, the Datejust is Rolex’s most-sold model.
11. The Datejust is currently available in the sizes 28mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, 41mm
There really is a Datejust for everyone. No wonder it is the model line that Rolex sells the most.
12. Christian Bale (as Patrick Bateman) wore a Rolex Datejust 1623 in the movie American Psycho
13. Rolex released a quartz version of the Datejust in 1977
During the quartz crisis, Rolex developed a few new quartz watches. One of which was the Datejust Oysterquartz. The model was eventually discontinued, and Rolex has not looked back at quartz watches ever since. The watch features a date function, hence the Datejust name, despite the fact that the Oysterquartz is technically a completely different model.
14. Rolex introduced the cyclops for the Datejust in 1953
The Datejust was the first Rolex watch to feature Rolex’s now-iconic cyclops. It would take 9 years after the initial introduction of the Datejust before Rolex introduced the cyclops for the model. It is said that Hans Wilsdorf developed the cyclops because his wife Betty Wilsdorf-Mettler had difficulties reading the date on her watch, but this information has not been confirmed by Rolex.
15. Paul Newman wore a 36MM Datejust in the movie The Color of Money
16. Martin Luther King wore a Rolex Datejust during his “I Have a Dream” speech
Luther wore a Datejust reference 1601.
17. Winston Churchill was awarded the 100,000th officially certified chronometer by Hans Wilsdorf
The British Prime Minister received the watch from Rolex’s founder while in office during World War II. He received a 36mm Datejust with a fluted white gold bezel and a stainless-steel Jubilee bracelet.
18. Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) has a Datejust
The 14th Dalai Lama – Tenzin Gyatso, has a Rolex Datejust.
19.US President Lyndon Johnson wore a Datejust
20. President Eisenhower wore the Rolex Datejust while in office
Eisenhower had a Rolex Datejust with the white Roman numeral dial, a stainless steel engine-turned bezel, and a steel jubilee bracelet.
21. President Ronald Raegan wore the Rolex Datejust while in office
22. Rolex introduced the quickset date functioning the 1970s
This was with the introduction of Rolex’s in-house caliber, the 3035, in the 160XX references.
23. The Date cyclops is named after the one-eyed giant of Greek mythology
24. The Datejust is offered with two Rolex bracelets: the Jubilee and the Oyster
As mentioned earlier, the Datejust was originally exclusively available on the Jubilee bracelet.
25. Rolex released the Turn-O-Graph version of the Datejust in 1955
The Datejust Turn-O-Graph acquired the name “Thunderbird”. Unlike the traditional Datejust, the Turn-O-Graph features a rotating bezel marked to 60 minutes. The rotating bezel allows the wearer to measure time intervals.
This model was given as award watches to US Air Force pilots returning from combat missions.
26. Harrison Ford wears a Datejust 36mm in the 1980s movie Frantic
The watch that Harrison Ford wore was a white Roman numeral dial, white gold bezel, and stainless steel jubilee bracelet and case.
27. Bill Murray wears a Datejust in the movie Lost in Translation
