When it comes to luxury watch brands, there are few more renowned and celebrated than Rolex. The long-running king of luxury watches has created some of the most iconic watch models of all time. Needless to say, buying nearly any Rolex watch is going to be a great decision.
There are few watches in the world more sought after than the Rolex Day-Date and the Rolex Datejust. These watches have been a part of Rolex’s catalogue for decades, and Rolex continues to innovate with new advancements and iterations. If you’re trying to decide between these two classics, it can be a tough choice. Fortunately, we’re here to break down the differences and help you decide. Read on to learn more about these amazing Rolex timepieces.
Both the Rolex Day-Date and the Rolex Datejust are some of the oldest models in the brand’s history. The Rolex Datejust was first introduced in 1945, and it was equipped with the newly introduced Jubilee bracelet along with a date window. The Datejust was released in celebration of Rolex’s 40th Anniversary. Rolex would further improve on this design by inventing the Cyclops lens to make the date window easier to read.
The Datejust II, introduced in 2009, has a larger 41mm case compared to the original's 36mm, appealing to modern tastes. Both models have the Cyclops lens for easy date reading and are powered by reliable automatic movements. They remain symbols of refinement and innovation, beloved by watch enthusiasts globally.
Click here to read our article on the Rolex Datejust II.
The Day-Date would be introduced to the Rolex lineup in 1956, along with a new bracelet called the President. True to the bracelet’s name, the Day-Date was meant to be a luxurious addition to the Rolex catalogue. Lyndon B. Johnson would also don the Day-Date in 1960, making the ‘President’ bracelet a very fitting name. The Day-Date has a date window along with a window that displays the full day of the week.
Since both the Datejust and the Day-Date have been produced and iterated on for many years, customers are spoiled for options. Though both watches have a very classic and traditional style, there are numerous dial colours to choose from. There’s sure to be one that fits the style you’re wanting.
As for the status of the two watches, the Datejust is typically seen as a more casual watch. You could easily throw on the Datejust as your daily watch and wear it with a casual suit or a T-shirt with jeans. It’s a truly versatile watch when it comes to style, and it’s a great option if you’re needing an all-around watch.
The Day-Date, on the other hand, has always been created with luxury in mind. It’s the quintessential dress watch from the world’s most popular watch brand. If you’re looking for a watch that can elevate every occasion, the Day-Date may be the choice for you.
The Day-Date can be found in a special edition colour, green, Rolex's symbolic colour. To read more, click here to read our article on the green Rolex Day-Date.
Once again, you have many options regarding the materials used to make the Datejust and the Day-Date. The Datejust can be found in gold, stainless steel, and Rolesor (Rolex’s patented gold and steel mix.) The Day-Date is forged with precious metals including yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum.
Of course, both watches can be flashy as well. If you want your Rolex Datejust or Day-Date inset with gemstones or diamonds, it is more than possible. It will also likely be costly.
Complications aren’t meant to be the focus of Day-Date and Datejust watches. These watches are stylish, functional and precise. Of course, the date displays and the day display on the Day-Date are the most notable features. Quickset features were also implemented in later models of these timepieces. They are also equipped with Rolex in-house calibres to ensure accuracy and precision.
Along with the features, you’ll also want to be considering the size of your watch. Fortunately, both watches come in a variety of sizes. You can find Datejust watches in 26mm, 28mm, 31mm, 36mm, and 41mm. Day-Date watches come in 36mm, 39mm, 40mm, and 41mm.
The staggering number of options for Day-Dates and Datejusts means that there is also a fairly large variation in price. A simple vintage Datejust can be very affordable. But it can also be very expensive if it is made with precious metals and inset with diamonds on the dial. Generally, Day-Dates will be the more expensive of the two due to all of the models being crafted with precious metals that rarely lose their value.
If you’re interested in buying a Datejust, you can expect to pay anywhere from £4,000 to £50,000. A Rolex Day-Date could run you anywhere from £8,000 to £130,000. Typically, a Rolex Day-Date will fall roughly in the £30,000 range.
Now that you know a little bit more about each of these prestigious Rolex watches, you can make the best decision possible. If you’re still having trouble, let’s do a quick recap:
Reasons to Buy a Datejust – Tons of different options for styles, materials, and colours. Datejust watches are more casual and generally more affordable. You can also find Datejust watches in smaller sizes if you’re needing a watch that fits a smaller wrist. These watches have a classic design, and they have a date display on the dial.
Reasons to Buy a Day-Date – If you’re wanting a luxurious dress watch, the Day-Date is the right choice. Although they typically cost more, you can often find a great deal. They come in various precious metals, and they feature a date display along with a display that shows the day of the week. Day-Date watches generally come in larger sizes if you’re wanting a larger watch.
In the end, you really can’t go wrong with either of these watches. You should always go with whatever watch makes you the happiest and feels the best on your wrist. Whichever watch you’d like to purchase, make sure you come to BQ Watches for the best selection.
