Review: Rolex OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST 41

Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 has a new face. Possibly the very model and design that is the most produced in the world, the Rolex Datejust is possibly the most loved and hated collection in the world of Rolex. Released at the latest Baselworld, the ‘new’ Datejust is now in 41 mm with a Rolesor, 2 tone case and champagne dial.

The newly released Rolex Datejust in two tone gold and steel.

A Victim of time

The Rolex Datejust is an icon of modern wristwatches. As with many great icons, the design of the watch has stayed true to its original, with only minor changes along the years. Some features like the fluted bezel and the jubilee bracelet were once unique to Rolex. However, with its success comes one of the greatest pains of the coveted watch industry. Fakes. The Datejust is easily the most replicated watch in watch history. Be it outright fakes or copied designs on fashion brand name watches, like GUESS or DKNY etc.; the iconic fluted bezel design and jubilee bracelet are great victims of time, and their prestige among its brand’s collections and against the watch industry at large has been dwindling.

Each Rolex dial is designed and manufactured in-house, largely by hand to ensure perfection.

The ‘Old man’s’ timepiece

At one point in its history, the Rolex Datejust was a status symbol, a hip watch for a gentleman. But in recent times, the Datejust, especially the twotone models has been largely seen by the Y generation folks as the “Uncle” watch. Stuck with it is the colloquial connotation of being either old-fashioned or overtly bling.

The champagne dial is paired with 18k gold hour markers. The hands and markers are fit with Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence.

A real classic

While many squeal at revived homage watches in the likes of Tudor’s Heritage timepieces, they seem to forget the brand that has been at the forefront of preserving classic designs. If one were to look at Rolex’s collection of timepieces, he will notice that its current production collections are all naturally selected over decades. Its popular sports models aside, the Datejust is possibly the closest to Rolex’s earliest bracelet watches. The evolution of the Oyster case shape and then the fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet have grown alongside major developments in the history of the modern world.

The Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing) timepiece is accurate up to -2/+2 sec/day, after casing.

An undeniably robust timepiece

Perfected over time, the Rolex Datejust may have a classic exterior, but remains an undeniably robust timepiece. Fit with a screw-down, twinlock double waterproofness system, the watch is waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet. The crystal is made with scratch resistant sapphire, and its movement; the 3235 calibre has a sufficient 70 hours power reserve. Complete with a Superlative Chronometer mark of approval, the timepiece is accurate up to -2/+2 sec/day, after casing. A highly accurate result for a mechanical timepiece.

A close up of the Yellow Rolesor case, a combination of 904L steel and 18 k yellow gold.

Concluding thoughts

The watch is robust, reliable and a Rolex. It has a good movement and a strong heritage. That said, the stigma of having a mass produced timepiece and possibly one of the least significant Rolex models may be hard for some to fathom. While we do not dislike the timepiece, we still prefer the other sports models or a full steel Datejust model.