When the first Rolex Datejust was introduced in 1945 – the year of the brand's 40th anniversary – it made history as the first self-winding, waterproof, officially certified chronometer wristwatch with a date display on the dial. The Cyclops lens was added in 1955 to magnify the date two and a half times, making it considerably clearer and easier to read. This feature would eventually become one of the most recognizable trademarks of Rolex.
In the mid-2000s, Rolex introduced the updated generation of the Datejust 36. This collection offers the characteristics of the original and iconic Rolex Datejust in a cleaner, more modern design, while incorporating a number of improvements. One of its most important features is, of course, the movement – the Datejust 36 houses the time-proven calibre 3135, an in-house Rolex automatic movement with COSC certification, a 48-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The calibre is renowned for its reliability, precision, and robust construction, making it one of the most successful movements in the brand's history.
It is no coincidence that the Datejust is the brand's most popular and recognizable model after the legendary Submariner – and the Datejust 36 allows this popularity to be expressed through a contemporary interpretation. This particular watch comes in a fantastic and relatively hard-to-find combination – a dark grey Rhodium dial with diamond hour markers, rose gold, and a Jubilee bracelet.
The attention to detail on this watch (as indeed on all modern Rolex watches we have had the opportunity to examine) is truly impressive. A closer inspection reveals the exceptional craftsmanship, while the overall impression is distinctly aristocratic. Moving on to the classic sapphire crystal featuring the Cyclops magnifier – in this case, a high-quality, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal provides excellent legibility and protection for the dial. Naturally, special attention should also be paid to the case and bezel – an incredible combination of top-grade brushed 904L stainless steel with beautifully polished bevelled edges and carefully finished details (as you probably know, Rolex pays particular attention to the steel it uses and even operates its own foundries for the production of its alloys) and 18-carat Everose rose gold. The bezel is fluted, and the fact that it is crafted from 18-carat gold further reinforces the overall impression! And, of course, the bracelet, band, strap, or whatever you prefer to call it – as one would expect from a Rolex, it is genuinely excellent... In this case, we have a Jubilee bracelet with solid 18-carat rose gold centre links and an elegant, concealed Crownclasp that blends almost seamlessly with the remaining bracelet links. The only thing it lacks (at least in our opinion) is the Glidelock clasp found on the Submariner, although here Rolex has opted for the more elegant and discreet Crownclasp solution. The lug width is 20 mm, this particular bracelet has 10 links, and it will fit a wrist of up to 18 cm.
