Rolex Datejust Price Guide

There are many different factors that influence the value of a Rolex Datejust, all of which must be considered to determine its worth.

The Rolex Datejust is one of the oldest watches that is still produced today. It was developed and launched in 1945 as the featured watch for the company’s 40^th anniversary. The unveiling took place at the Hotel des Bergues at Rolex’s jubilee celebration. That’s where the name for the Datejust’s bracelet originated – the Jubilee bracelet.

This watch was the forerunner of automatic wristwatches, notable for being the first watch to have an automatic changing date. We’ve gotten used to this function, but when it was introduced back in the day, it changed everything.

Another novelty of the Rolex Datejust was its Oyster casing, which was used for the first time in 1926 to become the world’s first waterproof watch.

There are a variety of Rolex Datejusts available today, all of them very much the same, and all of them featured in 36 mm.

However, Rolex, being the market dominator it is, also brought out the Datejust Mens II in 2009 in a 41mm size to cater to individuals who felt the original 36mm was too small.

 

So What is the Rolex Datejust’s Value Today?

To answer this question, we’ll run through some of models and the Rolex Datejust prices you can expect to pay.

We’ll start off with the Rolex Datejust ref. 4467, introduced in 1950. When compared to newer Datejust models, the first thing you’ll notice is that the date is not magnified. This is because the Cyclops lens was only introduced in 1954.

Also, you’ll only find this watch in yellow gold. After the Datejust’s initial launch, Rolex would later introduce rose gold, steel, or even two-toned editions. The Datejust Mens ref. 4467 featured a coin-style bezel, which was changed on later models to the more recognizable fluted bezel style.

The Datejust initially used a Calibre 710, which was updated to the Calibre 730 in later models. This watch truly is a monument in the timepiece community. Rolex themselves can no longer repair any of these watches due to the lack of parts available.

The Rolex Datejust ref. 4467 can rake in an average of $10,800 at auction, depending on condition.

The most recognizable version of the Rolex Datejust was introduced in 1958. There were many updated aspects about this particular iteration: its back was flat as a result of the new Calibre 1065, and it had the trademark Cyclops lens which magnified the date.

The inside movement was changed once again in 1965 to the well-known Calibre 1570.

The Rolex OysterQuartz was launched in 1977 (reference 17000), which had an in-house quartz movement. At the time it failed to match the success of earlier Datejust models, but now seems to be very popular, having reached prices between $2,700 to $10,800 on the secondhand market, all dependent on condition.

The Latest Rolex Datejust

The Rolex Datejust ref. 116200 has been said to be the standard Datejust of our time. The 116200 refers to the 36 mm version of the men’s Datejust, which was later improved (especially in size) to the 41 mm due to an increase in demand for bigger watches. There are a wide variety of options to choose from concerning metals, bracelets, dial color, etc. available, which makes the watch almost completely customizable.

You can find these ref. 116200 Datejusts in many different metals, including stainless steel, various gold options, or even two-toned. However, the stainless steel model uses 904L steel, a low-carbon alloy that has greater resistance against damage.

This men’s Datejust gives you the option of the classic Jubilee bracelet, which is very shiny, or the Oyster bracelet, which is known for its durability. You can also choose between a traditional fluted bezel or a more modern flat bezel.

Of course, all of these aspects have an influence on the price of a Rolex Datejust, especially when it comes to the watch’s value on the secondhand market.

Even though the modern Datejust has many similarities with the original, it has kept up with the times. The Calibre used in the ref. 116200 models are Calibre 3135, which has been the Rolex focus since 1988. The Rolex Datejust is a COSC-certified chronometer automatic movement with 50 hours of power reserve.

In 2014, Rolex announced 3 new additions to the Rolex Datejust collection, which proves once again why we’ve had this magnificent timepiece since 1945.

Rolex is seen as producing some of the best watches you can buy, and if you measure it all up, it would be hard to argue against Rolex’s proven reliability and its impressive history of innovation.

The Rolex OysterQuartz was launched in 1977 (reference 17000), which had an in-house quartz movement. At the time, it failed to match the success of earlier Datejust models, but now seems to be very popular. Rolex OysterQuartz Datejust values reached prices between $2,700 to $10,800 on the secondhand market, all dependent on condition.