The Rolex Datejust is the most popular line of watch and made up the majority of their annual sales for decades. Although in recent years, much of the attention has been directed towards Rolex various sport watch lines, it is the Datejust that many would argue is the classic and iconic Rolex timepiece.
Originally introduced in 1945 to commemorate Rolex’s 40th anniversary, the Datejust has remained largely unchanged throughout the many years that it has remained in continuous production. Different from many of Rolex’s other watch lines, the Datejust is not designed typically for one particular sport or lifestyle activity. On the contrary, the Datejust is simply a classic and reliable wristwatch, designed to be worn all the time.
No other line of Rolex watches is available from the factory with as a lot of different dial, bezel, metal, and bracelet combinations, which guarantees that there will be a Datejust to suit every different style, budget, and personal preference. The most recent incarnation of Rolex’s simple and straightforward stainless steel Datejust, the watch retains for the cornerstone DNA that defines the Rolex brand, while also providing owners with a fresh take on the classic Rolex wristwatch.
Like its predecessors, the Datejust is still 36 mm in diameter and still powered by Rolex’s venerable and entirely in-house, caliber 3135 movement. As its 116200-reference number would suggest, it is craft entirely from stainless steel and fitted with a smooth bezel rather than a fluted one.
Although it has retained its 36 mm case diameter, the lugs of the latest generation of Datejust have been made thicker to give the watch a bolder and more rugged overall appearance. What’s more, the entire bracelet and clasp (on both the Oyster and Jubilee styles) have been redesigned to equip the watch with a more substantial and refined look and feel. Despite the seemingly minor changes, the special watch is a remarkably different watch than the one that preceded it. The numerous small updates and design refinements do not slip by unnoticed; and instead, their collective result is a timepiece that truly becomes the logical progression of Rolex’s Datejust line of watches.
This model is the latest iteration of Rolex’s entirely stainless steel Datejust; however it has been on the market for a number of years now, so it is available both brand-new from authorized dealers, as well as used on the pre-owned market. Secondhand prices will offer measurable savings over brand-new retail prices; however as the luxury watch is made from stainless steel rather than gold or platinum, the savings will be less dramatic than what one would experience with a Rolex craft from precious metals.