Why We Love It
If you could only have one watch, it would be hard to argue against that one being a vintage Rolex Datejust.
This particular example has an 18K yellow gold bezel that has oxidized lightly over the years giving it a beautiful golden orange hue. This is a prime example of the watch being exposed to the elements but equally taken care of by its previous owner, seeing as the watch remains in extraordinary condition.
It also features an untouched rare "Sigma" "Wide Boy" dial, two terms that collectors often use when discussing vintage Rolex. A Sigma dial can be defined as having the noticeable greek letters near the 6:00 position, indicating that the hour indices are made of gold, not rhodium plated steel. The wide boy aspect can be defined as having "fat" or wider than average markers, as the name suggests. We definitely consider this a rare one having both of these features combined.
This stunning example merges the fun (Two-Tone) with the fancy (Sigma) and makes for a hell of a timepiece, whether destined for the wrist of a beginner or experienced collector!
The Story
We've said it over and over again - the Datejust may just be the perfect watch.
Coupling perfect proportions, simple dial layouts, and robust movements, Rolex's most prolific model is an icon of timekeeping that has been in continuous production for decades. Moreover, the Datejust is all the watch that just about any of us really need.
The beauty of the Datejust is that it is the ultimate do-anything, go-anywhere watch. Equal parts sporty and dressy, the Datejust wears just as well with jeans as it does with a suit, and thanks to the signature Oyster case and tough-as-nails movement, it’s ready for anything that you can throw at it.
In production continuously since 1945, the original Datejust was the world's first wristwatch to incorporate a date disc and aperture at the 3:00 position. The cyclops magnifier over the date window was introduced in 1954, and as we all know has became a signature Rolex design cue.
Since then, date windows at 3:00 have become commonplace, and the Rolex cyclops magnifier bubble has become a hallmark of the brand. Datejusts have proudly been worn by presidents, athletes and movie stars (and probably your grandfather), in a testament to how timeless and versatile the watch truly is.
Where so many watches can be a little too big here, or a little too small there, the Datejust is just right, embracing the wrist with its thin and tapering 36mm case. And while recent horological trends have favored large wristwatches, the age of the giant watch is behind us (thankfully), making more reasonably sized watches, like the original Datejust, a pleasantly stylish option that fits the bill.
There's a magic to the Datejust's simple design, a timelessness that speaks to how true style never dies.
