A milestone in watchmaking history, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock on the dial. These numbers are a reminder that though 24 hours mark a day, it’s on us to make those a date to remember.
“It is a masterpiece of horological science. It is, in fact, a synthesis of all that has been achieved up to the present day.”
Hans Wilsdorf, 1945
Created to improve the legibility of the date, the Cyclops lens is both an aesthetic and a technical brand signature. This Rolex invention was patented in the early 1950s and presented for the first time in 1953 on a Datejust. Its magnifying effect makes the date easier to read. Initially in Plexiglas, it has been crafted in sapphire since the 1970s, like the watch’s crystal.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rolex in 1945, the Jubilee bracelet was specially designed for the Datejust. This fluid and comfortable five-piece link metal bracelet is integral to the Datejust’s identity and enhances the timeless elegance of the model. The Datejust is also available with an Oyster bracelet or, on precious metal versions, a President bracelet.