{"id":4008,"date":"2019-11-01T12:58:17","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T12:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=4008"},"modified":"2025-08-02T09:48:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T09:48:02","slug":"rolex-datejust-and-day-date-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2019\/11\/01\/rolex-datejust-and-day-date-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Datejust & Day-Date II"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Rolex Datejust and Day-Date II: Why were they Short Lived?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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\nIt can be said that Rolex’s golden era was the mid-1940s to 1950s, when they launched one emblematic design after another \u2013 the Datejust, Submariner, Day-Date, and the GMT-Master. Their 21st\u00a0<\/sup>century versions are still very close to the original, proving the timelessness of the brand’s\u00a0design DNA.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say that Rolex doesn\u2019t respond to changes in the market. Due to the preference for larger watches in the new millennium, they introduced bigger versions of their famed dress watches: the Rolex Day-Date<\/a> II and Rolex Datejust II<\/a>. However, these models lasted less than a decade, and were eventually replaced with newer iterations.<\/p>\n

Why are the Rolex Day-Date and Datejust II<\/a> still sought-after in the pre-owned market \u2013 and what changes did Rolex make to their new counterparts? Check out our quick guide:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Day-Date and Datejust: Quintessential Dress Watches<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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The Rolex Datejust was launched in 1945. It became the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to indicate the date in a window, which automatically changed at midnight.<\/p>\n

It was recognized as Rolex\u2019s signature timepiece, bearing many of the features we see on Rolex watches today: the fluted bezel, the Cyclops window, the two-tone metal combination Rolesor, and the Jubilee bracelet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Datejust 36mm watches in Rolesor Steel Yellow Gold<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The Day-Date, which would eventually be known as the Rolex President, made its first appearance in 1956.<\/p>\n

It was introduced as the flagship model of Rolex, and bore distinctive features that\u00a0set it apart from the rest of the portfolio. It\u00a0is only produced in gold or platinum.\u00a0Moreover, it was the first watch to display the day\u00a0of the week on the dial, in addition to the date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex President Day-Date White Gold 36mm\u00a0Diamond Mens Watch<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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For more than half a century, the Rolex Datejust<\/a> and Day-Date came in the traditional 36mm size case. This made the Datejust perfect for everyday wear; and the Day-Date for pairing with a suit.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The Large Watch Trend: Rolex Datejust II<\/a> and Day-Date II<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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In the years leading to the new millennium, watches measuring more than 40mm started gaining popularity. Rolex responded by offering beefier and sportier versions of their modestly-sized dress watches.<\/p>\n

Rolex unveiled the 41mm sized Rolex Day-Date II in 2008, then followed it up with the similar-sized Datejust II <\/a>a\u00a0year after.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Datejust II<\/a> in Rolesor\u00a0steel yellow gold<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The Day-Date II is definitely the glitzier of the two, and while they run on different calibers (3156 for the Day-Date II,\u00a0and 3136 for the Datejust II<\/a>), they possess almost identical Oyster cases.<\/p>\n

Both watches are seen as sportier versions of the traditional Day-Date and Datejust, as they wear large on the wrist with their wider lugs and bracelets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex President Day-Date II with Rolex President Datejust Ladies Watch<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Scaling back with the Rolex Day-Date 40 and Datejust 41<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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Less than a decade in, the Rolex Day-Date II was replaced with the Day-Date 40 range in 2015. The year after, the Rolex Datejust II<\/a> was discontinued to make way for the Datejust 41.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Datejust II Watches<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Rolex clearly scaled back on heft for both models. The Datejust 41 retained the same 41mm case size, while the Day-Date 40 featured a slightly smaller case. What\u2019s apparent for both models are the thinner profiles, slimmer lugs and bracelets, and the\u00a0more elegant look overall.<\/p>\n

One can say\u00a0that the beefy look of the Rolex Day-Date II and Datejust II<\/a> may address the ongoing demand for larger watches, but they may not be timeless enough to wear for decades \u2013 exactly the kind of endurance most Rolex watches possess.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex President Day-Date II and Day-Date 40 Yellow Gold<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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With their tapered designs, the Rolex Day-Date 40 and Datejust 41 are large enough to fit in with today\u2019s large watch trends, but still thin enough to sit comfortably on the wrist and classic enough to be worn for decades.<\/p>\n

Still, there are many Rolex Day-Date II and Datejust II<\/a> fans who still enjoy the oversized look of these watches; and they continue to be popular in the pre-owned market today.<\/p>\n

As they say, \u201cgo big, or go home\u201d \u2013 and there are watch lovers\u00a0who want no less than the biggest and sportiest versions of the iconic Rolex dress watches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

____<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

SEE MORE OF THE WATCHES IN OUR VIDEO:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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