Last year, Rolex introduced a new collection of Cellini watches and this year there is something special due for the iconic Datejust. Just like we did in 2014, here are our predictions for the fake Rolex 2015 Novelties, the dress watches we want to see from Rolex at Baselworld 2015. Our friends of WatchTime wrote a comprehensive history of this icon that needed to be shared with you here.
As simple as it can be, the quick changing date is a milestone in the development of watches. Rolex is considered as a pioneer of numerous innovations. The Datejust is the essence of a replica Rolex: simple, reliable, rock-solid, very well made and designed as a Rolex should be in the collective psyche.
Back in 1945, the Geneva watch manufacturer, just in time for its 40th anniversary, launched the Oyster Perpetual Datejust. One, two, three hands – and nothing more! This was manufacturers’ motto for decades. No matter what we’re talking about is pocket watches or wristwatches, the industry had for years offered only 3 hands to its clients – in addition to chronographs and some rare and complicated calendar watches. However, in 1945, Rolex presented the first wristwatch with a date display and a quick date mechanisms.
Nevertheless, this newly innovated timepiece brand needed a name suitable for the commercialization and internationally recognizable. In 1908, the legend began as Wilsdorf invented the name Rolex (the name is a pure invention and no confirmed theory can explain his inspiration). Rolex had the individuality of the Bieler Aegler SA movements in UK from 1913, and even if still protected by replica Rolex, this name is not used anymore since the 1930s, as the company had been absorbed by Rolex. Due to the First World War, Wilsdorf moved the company to Bienne, Switzerland. Montres Rolex SA was officially registered on January 17, 1920. Back in 1910, one of the key characteristics Rolex was and still is the accuracy, something that can be found with proofs of a chronometer testing – today nearly all the timepieces made by Rolex are chronometer certified by the COSC.
The movements were enormously improved, but not completely renewed. With the Calibre 3135, the Datejust enter the 21st century with its Parachrom Bleu spiral. 3 new editions of the Datejust with colored dials were just released in 2014, proving once again the versatility and timeless spirit of this watch.
Only few special editions were ever accessible – one during the 1980s with a moon phase indication, and the Rolex Datejust Thunderbird with a rotating bezel. Beginning of the 2000s, replica Rolex watches introduced a new flat and polished bezel as an alternative to the fluted one. A Datejust has a high recognition value, like almost all Rolex models. The shape of the case became more masculine within the years, however the rest of the watch (dial layout, hands, cyclops and specs) remained basically unchanged. What’s more, the distinctive Jubilee or Oyster bracelets give the watch a timeless design. The size also remained constant over decades – up to the introduction of the current Datejust II, as it grew from 36 to 41 millimeters, an answer to the rising demand for large sized watches. Nevertheless, this second edition of the Datejust remains elegant and close in its design to the basic replica Rolex Datejust.
Constant improvements have created a unique watch: a reliable daily beater, highly accurate and suitable for every outfit.