Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust: A date with destiny
- Oyster Perpetual Datejust: A date with destiny
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Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, Everose Rolesor version
© Rolex/Eric Sauvage
INNOVATIVE AND CLASSIC
A TIMELESSLY ELEGANT WATCHMAKING FEAT
“This is a masterpiece of horological science. It is, in fact, a synthesis of all that has been achieved up to the present day.” Upon its launch, the Datejust was described by Hans Wilsdorf, the Rolex founder, as a consummate demonstration of watchmaking techniques. Indeed, it showcased all of the brand’s major accomplishments to that point, with a certified chronometer movement, a self-winding mechanism and a waterproof case, complemented by the date display in a special window on the dial.
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.
The Datejust also expresses harmonious elegance and perfectly embodies the classic watch according to Rolex. Its enduring aesthetics make it instantly recognizable. The characteristic shape of the Oyster case, the 18 ct gold fluted bezel, the Cyclops lens over the date and the five-piece link Jubilee bracelet – specially made for the model – all helped make this watch a classic.
- Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, Everose Rolesor version- Open lightbox
WATCHMAKING PROGRESS IN PURSUIT OF HUMAN PROGRESS
A WATCH IN STEP WITH MODERNITY
The launch of the Datejust echoed the quest for excellence of Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, who believed that watchmaking progress should encourage human progress. In a period of great change, people’s relationship with time was shifting. Modern life moved to the rhythm of the passing days and was less connected to the seasons.
The Datejust offers enhanced comfort in terms of legibility and daily time management. Useful and practical, it was soon established as a precious instrument for the modern, independent, active wearer.
A WITNESS TO WORLD AFFAIRS
CELEBRATING DATES WITH DESTINY
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.
THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE DATEJUST
• Instantaneous date with the Cyclops lens
• Superlative Chronometer certification, specific to Rolex
• Five-year international guarantee
• Manufacture Rolex self-winding mechanical movements, COSC certified
• Syloxi hairspring in silicon (calibre 2236) or paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring (calibre 3235)
• Paramagnetic escape wheel (calibre 2236) or Chronergy escapement (calibre 3235)
• High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
• Oyster case with a diameter of 31 mm, 36 mm or 41 mm, waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet)
INNOVATION AND VARIETY FOR ENHANCED ELEGANCE
The Datejust unveiled several emblematic Rolex innovations. A continually updated watchmaking icon, it constantly reinvents itself and stylishly spans eras. Its varied reinterpretations showcase Rolex’s expertise in dial-making. With multiple aesthetic options, it perfectly adapts to the personality of its wearers.
THE JUBILEE BRACELET
COMFORT AND ELEGANCE
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rolex in 1945, the Jubilee bracelet was specially designed for the Datejust. Fluid and comfortable, this five-piece link metal bracelet is integral to the Datejust’s identity. Fitted with an invisible Crownclasp or an Oysterclasp, the Jubilee bracelet enhances the timeless elegance of the model. The Datejust is also available with an Oyster bracelet or, on precious metal versions, a President bracelet.ox
THE CYCLOPS LENS
AN OPTIMIZED READING
Created to improve the legibility of the date, the Cyclops lens is both an aesthetic and a technical brand signature. This Rolex invention, named after the one-eyed giant in Greek mythology, 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 plexiglass, it has been crafted in sapphire since the 1970s, like the watch’s crystal. Virtually impervious to scratches, the sapphire now features a double anti-reflective coating, making it even more effective.
THE DIALS
INFINITE FACES
With a large selection of dials, the Datejust offers the most varied combinations of all Rolex watches. Set with diamonds or made from mother-of-pearl, adorned with palm or fluted motifs, or featuring a sunray finish, the Datejust dials offer a host of faces available in a wide variety of materials, colours and motifs, with different hour markers (index or Roman or Arabic numerals) and multiple gem-setting possibilities. Bearing chief responsibility for the identity and legibility of Rolex watches, all the brand’s dials are developed in-house for optimal results.
THE BEZEL
A DISTINCTIVE FEATURE
Smooth, fluted, domed or set with diamonds, the varied bezels allow the Datejust to reflect the personality of the wearer. The bezel is one of the watch’s most visible features and one of the most emblematic aspects of Rolex know-how. It can therefore be set with brilliant-cut diamonds, selected in-house by experts to ensure they sparkle beautifully. An iconic Rolex signature, the fluted bezel is crafted from 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold.
AN ICON OF ROLEX KNOW-HOW
THE 31, 36 OR 41 MM OYSTER CASE
A SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS
The Datejust’s case, 31 mm, 36 mm or 41 mm in diameter and guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy, or 18 ct gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that grants only Rolex watchmakers access to the movement.
The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. Completely waterproof, the Oyster case provides optimum protection for the Datejust’s movement.
- Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41, Oystersteel- Open lightbox
ROLESOR
AN ALLIANCE OF ALLOYS
For close to a century, gold and steel have come together in a pas de deux where sophistication meets strength. Created in the early 1930s, Rolesor features exclusively on Rolex watches in the Oyster Perpetual collection. The concept is simple: the bezel, the winding crown and the centre bracelet links are made of yellow or Everose gold while the middle case and outer links of the bracelet are made of Oystersteel. On white Rolesor models, the bezel alone is in white gold. These unique combinations are one of the brand’s signatures.
PERPETUAL CALIBRES 2236 AND 3235
MOVEMENTS AT THE FOREFRONT OF WATCHMAKING TECHNOLOGY
Datejust models are fitted with calibre 2236 (Datejust 31) or calibre 3235 (Datejust 36 and Datejust 41), self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, these movements carry a number of patents. They offer outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks, convenience and reliability.
The oscillator of calibre 2236 and calibre 3235 has a balance wheel with variable inertia regulated to an extremely precise degree via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance. The oscillator is also fitted on patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, designed by Rolex.
Calibre 2236 incorporates a Syloxi hairspring in silicon, which is manufactured by the brand and patented. Calibre 3235 features an optimized version of the blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. Both hairsprings are resistant to strong magnetic fields and offer good stability in the face of temperature variations.
The geometry of the Syloxi hairspring in calibre 2236 guarantees the regularity of the movement in any position; the blue Parachrom hairspring in calibre 3235 is fitted with a Rolex overcoil offering the same level of performance.
Calibre 2236 features a paramagnetic escape wheel in nickel -phosphorus. Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, made of the same alloy, which combines high energy efficiency with exceptional dependability. This escapement is also resistant to strong magnetic fields.
Calibre 2236 and calibre 3235 are fitted with a self-winding module featuring a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. Calibre 2236 offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, while the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency.
The Datejust’s movements will be seen only by certified Rolex watchmakers, yet they are beautifully finished and decorated in keeping with the brand’s uncompromising quality standards.
THE DATEJUST, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
Like all Rolex watches, the Datejust is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, waterproofness, self-winding and power reserve. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
The precision of every movement – officially certified as a Chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after casing to ensure that it meets precision criteria far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is approximately −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for the official certification of the movement alone.
Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex, according to an exclusive test protocol that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, self-winding capacity and power reserve of all Rolex watches. These post-casing tests systematically complement the qualification testing performed during the development and production of the watches to ensure reliability, robustness and resistance to magnetic fields and shocks.
© Rolex/Eric Sauvage
