ROLEX DATEJUST
The Datejust is Rolex's iconic archetype of the modern wristwatch. Spanning 31, 36, and 41 mm sizes in Oystersteel, Rolesor, and gold, with Jubilee and Oyster bracelets.
No Rolex Datejust watches are available right now. Contact our specialists below to source a specific reference.
Model History & Buyer Guide
Datejust: One Reference Family, Very Many Watches
The Configuration Is the Watch
Launched in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding, waterproof chronometer wristwatch with a date in a window. Nearly eighty years later it is the broadest line Rolex makes, and two watches sharing a reference prefix can look and price very differently depending on bezel, bracelet, dial and metal.
Read a Datejust as a set of choices rather than a single model: 31, 36 or 41 mm; Oystersteel, Rolesor or solid gold; fluted, smooth or gem-set bezel; Oyster, Jubilee or President bracelet; and a dial catalogue running from plain sunburst to palm, fluted-motif, meteorite and diamond indices.
Current and Recent Generations
The 41 mm generation is built on 1263xx references with calibre 3235 and roughly 70 hours of reserve — 126334 as white Rolesor with fluted bezel and Jubilee, 126300 with a smooth bezel, 126333 in yellow Rolesor. The 36 mm equivalents run on 1262xx references. The preceding 1162xx and 1163xx families used calibre 3135 and remain plentiful on the secondary market.
Because so much is interchangeable in appearance, the exact reference suffix matters more here than on most Rolex models. Bezel and bracelet swaps are easy to perform and common in the trade, and a watch assembled from correct-looking but non-original parts is worth materially less than a factory configuration.
Rolex Datejust Price Guide
Indicative secondary-market ranges in US dollars, researched from current market estimates and live dealer listings and updated August 2026. These are not fixed valuations: condition, originality, production year, service history, and completeness can move an individual watch outside the range.
| Reference | Configuration | Typical Pre-Owned Price | Market Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126334 | 41 mm white Rolesor, fluted bezel, Jubilee | $10,500 — $14,500 | Blue, wimbledon and slate dials carry the strongest demand |
| 126300 | 41 mm Oystersteel, smooth bezel, Oyster | $9,000 — $12,500 | The plainest configuration and usually the entry point |
| 126200 | 36 mm Oystersteel, current generation | $8,500 — $12,000 | Palm and fluted-motif dials trade above plain examples |
| 116234 | Discontinued 36 mm white Rolesor, calibre 3135 | $7,500 — $10,000 | Condition, papers and bracelet stretch set the range |
| 126333 | 41 mm yellow Rolesor, fluted bezel | $14,000 — $19,000 | Gold content puts a floor under this configuration |
Understanding Datejust
Every Datejust shares the same complication, so value comes from the specific combination of case size, metal, bezel, bracelet and dial.
| Feature | Function | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclops lens | Magnifies the date roughly 2.5 times | A Rolex signature since 1953; replacement crystals are sometimes fitted without it |
| Fluted bezel | Machined grooves in 18 ct gold or platinum | Always precious metal, so it distinguishes Rolesor from all-steel references |
| Jubilee bracelet | Five-piece link bracelet designed for the model in 1945 | Wears differently from the Oyster and is a major part of the price |
| Calibre 3235 | Current automatic with about 70 hours reserve | Marks the 1262xx/1263xx generation apart from calibre 3135 watches |
Reference-Level Buying Checklist
Use the exact reference—not the family name alone—to verify the following points before purchase.
| Check | What to Verify | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Reference suffix | Full reference including bezel and bracelet code | Configurations that look alike can differ by thousands of dollars |
| Bezel and bracelet originality | Factory pairing rather than a later swap | Both are easily changed and mixed watches sell at a discount |
| Dial and indices | Factory dial, correct printing, and any diamond setting | Aftermarket diamond dials and bezels are extremely common on this model |
| Bracelet stretch | Play between links and clasp condition | Stretch is the usual wear point on daily-worn Datejusts |
Frequently Asked Questions
About Datejust
What is the difference between Rolesor and solid gold?
Rolesor combines an Oystersteel case and bracelet with 18 ct gold on the bezel, crown and centre links. A solid-gold Datejust is gold throughout, and the two sit at very different price levels.
Is the Datejust a men's or women's watch?
It is made from 28 to 41 mm and has never been positioned by gender. Fit and dial preference are the useful criteria.
Why do two 126334 watches differ so much in price?
Dial colour and scarcity, year, condition, polishing, bracelet stretch, and whether box and papers are present all move the figure within one reference.
NYC Diamond District
Looking for a Specific Datejust Reference?
Our specialists can compare references, movements, condition, service history, and set completeness. Contact Atlas Luxury for current Datejust availability or help sourcing a particular configuration.