The 80-year history of the Rolex Datejust is being celebrated in the first official book. "Oyster Perpetual Datejust – A Watch that Made History" is a 224-page chronicle of the history and significance of the model that has set the standard for modern watchmaking since its creation in 1945.
Datejust Historian Nicholas Foulkes Publishes First Official Book on the Datejust
A new official visual book has been released documenting the 80-year history of the Rolex Datejust. Titled "Oyster Perpetual Datejust – A Watch that Made History," it was written by watch historian Nicholas Foulkes and published by Wallpaper, an international design and luxury magazine based in London, England.
There are watches that not only wear well on the wrist, but also "speak of the times themselves." The Rolex Datejust is a prime example of this. While it is often described as a "common" Rolex, it may be the model that most purely embodies the essence of the brand. Precision, elegance, adaptability to change, and unwavering reliability. No other watch embodies the spirit of Rolex more than the Datejust.
The official story has finally arrived
The newly published book spans 224 pages and provides a comprehensive look at the Datejust, which has been a benchmark for modern watches since 1945.
In 1945, Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf introduced the Datejust to the world as "the culmination of all his discoveries up to that point." It featured a waterproof case, automatic winding, a chronometer, and a date display at 3 o'clock.
The combination of functions, which was revolutionary at the time, remains a standard feature of Rolex today. The Cyclops lens, added eight years later, has become an iconic detail of the Datejust.
It's not just a history book
Foulkes' writing goes beyond a list of technical facts to vividly highlight the cultural role the Datejust has played as a symbol of postwar reconstruction, as a watch that has adorned the wrists of famous people, and as a timeless watch that is suitable for any era.
Packed with newly shot photographs, never-before-seen archival material, and testimonials from Rolex ambassadors and eyewitnesses, the book offers a new perspective on the Datejust, not simply as an "entry-level Rolex," but as a watch that embodies the brand's DNA in its purest form.
The second chapter in the Rolex history series
Following the highly acclaimed Official Submariner Book from 2024, this is the second in a series systematically documenting Rolex's most iconic models. Priced at €125, it is available online at the Wallpaper Store.
While the Submariner is a symbol of adventure, the Datejust is a timeless watch, always worthy of a watch, from business meetings to dinner parties, and even passed down through generations.
Foulkes describes the design as "chameleon-like," changing with the times but never losing its essence. This is the core message the book aims to convey: that "it is often the most familiar that is truly revolutionary."
