When I started collecting watches in the late 1990s, my watch dealer and now Fratello contributor Gerard told me that I needed a Rolex Datejust. Cant go wrong with a Rolex Datejust as they always work. With anything.. A short and simple statement from someone who had by that time already seen and tried it all. A few years later, just after graduation, I got my first Datejust. It was a vintage Datejust from 1969, with reference 1600, on a jubilee bracelet that was clearly added later. I managed to find a couple of extra bezels, including the fluted white gold one, so I could change it to a reference 1601 when I felt like it. It was also an easy watch to wear on a leather strap.
Rolex Datejust 1600Again, a few years later, I added a Rolex Datejust 16030. It was a stainless steel model with steel engine turned bezel. I didnt have it for long though and sold it to a friend of the family who wanted to have it. The Rolex Datejust 1600 is still in my possession though, and sometimes it gets out of the banks deposit box to be on my wrist for a week or so. Despite the fact that 36mm is considered small these days, it wears comfortably and looks great with everything. With a suit, polo shirt, shorts, jeans, etc. Gerard was right, this watch always works and for every occasion.
Rolex Datejust 1601That said, I couldnt be happier when Rolex introduced the Datejust II. It was in 2009 when Rolex introduced this classic wristwatch in 41mm (covered it here). Many of my friends liked it and some even bought it (and still own it). Its a more masculine sized Datejust, but with all of the cool design elements that remind us of the first Datejust from 1945. Well, perhaps 1954, as it was that year when Rolex decided to apply the now unmistakeably?feature of this brand to the date: the cyclops, which is a loupe that magnifies the date exactly 2.5 times. But, even after trying the Datejust II for a couple of days, it didnt feel right. Rolex did something to the design of this watch that removed the elegant sleek lines of the original 36mm Datejust. The 36mm Datejust never went out of production and still is in the core collection, but the Datejust II was eliminated within a few years.?It was simply too fat and bulky, a misinterpretation of what the market wanted I guess. That doesnt happen often to Rolex. Still, dont get me wrong, whenever I see a Datejust II I am still drawn to it. The design is so strong that it appears to be able to handle a bit of over-weight pretty well. In 2016, Rolex did a slight correction and introduced to you the Datejust 41. This is a more elegant version of the Datejust II, or simply a larger version of the already elegant Datejust in 36mm. At first it was only available in bi-colour (or Rolesor, as Rolex put it), but since 2017 its also available in stainless steel (we covered it here).
The fact that a watch is owned by famous people is not very relevant for me. However, for some people it is and the Datejust can be found on the wrists of many celebrities or featured in movies, where they even get a tad bit of attention like in American Psycho, where character Patrick Bateman tells his victim to Dont touch the watch. The Datejust might not have the same status as the Day-Date, but it is certainly a highly recognizable watch even to those who are not considered as watch enthusiasts or collectors. Importantly, you can tailor the Rolex Datejust towards your personal style. If you like to keep things in stealth mode, preferring understatement, a Datejust in stainless steel with Oyster bracelet, smooth steel bezel and a blue or silver-tone dial will fit your needs. Should the Rolex Datejust be your watch showing some glam and bling, you can choose a bi-colour (steel and yellow gold or steel and Everose gold for example), choose the fluted gold bezel, a two-tone Jubilee bracelet and a slate dial with green Roman numerals. You can make the Datejust what you want it to be.
Rolex Datejust 41mmBut, to come to the heart of the matter, a Datejust might be just the perfect all-arounder within the Rolex collection. I know that the Submariner, GMT-Master and Daytona are the ones that spring to mind, but a Datejust has more or less the same specifications when it comes to movement and bracelet for example. And perhaps more importantly, a Datejust has no issues regarding availability. It seems that the production number is higher on Datejust models, perhaps because there is also more variation among them. If you simply want to enjoy a watch, and not buying one as a speculator, the Rolex Datejust could become your companion for life. Some people might think it isnt sporty enough, or too boring, but using the configurator on the official Rolex website, you will see you can go any direction with this watch. And to be honest, the 100 meters water resistance (Twinlock crown!) will allow you to just use it for swimming as well. Just like Patrick Bateman, you never have to take this watch off your wrist.
