WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
In the earliest models of the Datejust, the date would begin to change some hours before its midnight rendezvous. In 1955, the date-change mechanism became instantaneous, and the date aperture was enhanced with a Cyclops lens enabling magnification of the date by two and half times for easy reading.
THE OYSTER CASE
Very few people in the world are allowed inside a Rolex Oyster. Only authorised Rolex retailers have the necessary know-how, skills and equipment to gain access. Hermetically sealed to the case with a massive torque of five newton metres, the back of any Oyster, as this case back demonstrates, creates an environment that protects the movement from shocks, pressure, dust, water and any other intrusive element.
SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER
The four simple words SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED engraved on the timepiece’s dial mean that the movement of this watch has endured 15 days and nights of testing by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), an independent not-for-profit association. To receive COSC certification, a watch must demonstrate extreme precision in a variety of positions and temperatures – the standard level of quality for every Rolex hronometer.
ROLESOR
As far back as the 1920s, Rolex watches were available with a two-tone Bicolore gold case: mostly yellow or red gold paired with white gold or platinum. In 1933 the association of gold and steel was registered by Rolex under the name Rolesor. Three years after the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 1945, the model was presented for the first time in Rolesor. It met with immediate success, achieving the status of a legendary watch distinguishable at a glance. Today, the Datejust in Rolesor is available in various combinations: steel with white, yellow or Everose gold
THE FLUTED BEZEL
In the beginning, the Oyster bezel fluting had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. The fluting was, furthermore, identical to the fluting on the caseback, which was also screwed onto the case for the same reason, using specific Rolex tools. The bezel evolved over time and later would be friction fitted onto the crystal and the case. The fluting became a purely aesthetic element, a genuine Rolex signature feature. A mark of distinction that is only available on yellow, Eve rose or white gold models.
