Where the sand meets the water · Photo: Hameen Reynolds / Unsplash
The Rolex story

The Datejust, reference by reference

Born for Rolex's 40th birthday in 1945, the Datejust has been updated again and again. Here are the main references, in order, and what changed each time.

First made
1945
References shown
13
Status
In production
Two-tone Datejust with a cream dial
Photo: Yash Parashar · Unsplash License

The timeline

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  1. 1945–c. 1949
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 4467]
    REF. 4467

    The first Datejust

    Launched for Rolex's 40th birthday: the first self-winding, waterproof chronometer wristwatch to show the date in a window at 3 o'clock. Gold only, with a fluted bezel and the new Jubilee bracelet, made just for it. The date crept over slowly in the hours before midnight.

  2. Late 1940s
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 5030]
    REF. 5030 · 5031

    The name on the dial

    Some of these were the first dials ever to print the word “Datejust.” It wasn't standard yet.

  3. Early 1950s
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 6074]
    REF. 6074 · 6075 · 6105

    The bubble backs

    Early 1950s Datejusts. Like other 6000-series models, the case back bulges out (collectors say “bubble back”) to make room for the self-winding rotor.

  4. 1953
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 6305]
    REF. 6305

    The Cyclops lens

    Rolex adds the Cyclops, a small magnifying bubble on the crystal over the date, named after the one-eyed giant. It's still on every Datejust. President Eisenhower's Datejust was a gold 6305.

  5. Late 1950s
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 6605]
    REF. 6605

    Instant date

    The date now snaps over right at midnight instead of creeping (Rolex dates this change to 1956). In 1957 Rolex also launched the Lady-Datejust.

  6. 1959–77
    Vintage steel Datejust with an engine-turned bezel and glowing hands
    Photo: hypo.physe · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped
    REF. 1600 · 1601 · 1603

    The classic 36

    The Datejust most people picture. A flat case back and three bezels: smooth steel (1600), fluted white gold (1601), or engine-turned steel (1603). All-steel versions brought the price down for more buyers. Around 1963 the glowing paint on the dial switched from radium to tritium.

  7. 1977–88
    Two-tone steel and gold Datejust with a champagne dial on a Jubilee bracelet
    Photo: anna2005 · CC0 · cropped
    REF. 16013 · 16014 · 16030

    Quick-set date

    New calibre 3035 movement: you can now set the date by itself instead of spinning the hands around the dial. The crystal was still acrylic (plastic).

  8. 1977–2000s
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 17000 series]
    REF. 17000 seriesSIDE ROAD

    The quartz Datejust

    The Oysterquartz: Rolex's own battery-powered Datejust, with an angular case, a built-in bracelet, and a sapphire crystal. A rare detour in Rolex history.

  9. 1988–2000s
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 16233]
    REF. 16233 · 16234 · 16200

    Sapphire arrives

    The first Datejust with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, plus the calibre 3135 movement. The two-tone 16233 became a status symbol of the late '80s.

  10. 2000s–2018
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 116233]
    REF. 116233 · 116234 · 116200

    The new-generation 36

    A refreshed 36 mm generation, still powered by calibre 3135.

  11. 2009–16
    41 mm Datejust II with a blue dial and fluted bezel on a wrist
    Photo: hypo.physe · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped
    REF. 116300 · 116334

    Datejust II: 41 mm

    The first 41 mm Datejust, with a thicker case. It came only on the Oyster bracelet, and many buyers found it bulky, so it had a short run.

  12. 2016–today
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 126300]
    REF. 126300 · 126334TODAY

    Datejust 41

    Replaced the Datejust II with a slimmer case and the new calibre 3235, which runs about 70 hours on a full wind. The Jubilee bracelet is an option again.

  13. 2018/19–today
    Steel Datejust 36 with a fluted white gold bezel on a wrist
    Photo: Millenary Watches · Unsplash License
    REF. 126200 · 126233 · 126234TODAY

    Today's Datejust 36

    The classic 36 mm size gets the calibre 3235 movement. Sources date this to 2018 or 2019.

1945–c. 1949 · REF. 44671 / 13

What never changed

DATE AT 3 O'CLOCK

The date window has sat in the same spot since 1945.

THE FLUTED BEZEL

First made to screw the bezel down tight. Now a Rolex signature.

THE JUBILEE

The five-link bracelet made for the Datejust in 1945 is still offered.

Through every generation

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Sources and photo credits

Dates and reference years come from Rolex and the dealer and auction sources below. When sources disagree, we show a range or the word "about." Last checked November 7, 2026.

Sources

Photos