EVERGREEN ICON

Here's everything you need to know about the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust, still the best-seller, and for good reason

Rolex celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1945 and commemorated the occasion with the launch of its Oyster Perpetual Datejust. It was a watch that found its place in the annals of horology as the world's first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o'clock on the dial. And it left its mark on watchmaking history, setting the path for the future, and heavily influencing timepieces of the ilk that were to follow.

Almost eight decades on and the Datejust continues to be a cornerstone of the Rolex stable. With its expert balance of form and function, it remains famed for its promise of excellent performance and reliability, delivered with timeless elegance. The collection (which has been in constant production since its launch) has kept pace with the times through design reinterpretations and technical innovations that have seen it become a modern classic all without ever losing sight of its original purpose: To be "a masterpiece of horological science", as Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf declared on the watch's debut.

Little wonder, then, that the Datejust has been the timepiece of choice for a long list of storied leaders including Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King; and celebrated athletes Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki. After all, the watch was made to be an unparalleled time-keeping companion with performance and prestige to last beyond a lifetime; a visual announcement that one has arrived.

Elegance for all Occasions

One could say that the Date just's popularity lies in the continuity of its design, which makes it instantly recognisable at a glance. Even more pertinent is that the timepiece was the first to be graced with several design features that have since become brand hallmarks.