Rolex introduced the Datejust in 1945 as the first self-winding wristwatch with an automatically changing date display.
The model debuted for Rolex’s 40th anniversary and was initially known as the Jubilee Datejust. Its date aperture appeared at 3 o’clock, a layout that became one of the most recognizable features in modern watch design. The watch used Rolex’s automatic movement and changed the date at midnight rather than requiring daily manual adjustment.
The Datejust is often confused with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, which refers to Rolex’s waterproof Oyster case and self-winding Perpetual movement but does not necessarily include a date display. Rolex later added the Cyclops magnifying lens over the Datejust’s date window in 1953. The Datejust remains a core Rolex collection, available in numerous sizes, metals, bracelets, and dial styles.