Rolex kicks off the watch launch season with four new versions of its classic Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 with new motifs decorating the dials. Two patterns, one inspired by palm trees and the second by the brand’s hallmark fluted pattern, are now featured on the dial. Like all Datejust 36 models since 2018, the newcomers are fitted with calibre 3235 covered by Rolex’s demanding Superlative Chronometer certification.
With its proverbial mix of strength and elegance and its appealing unisex case size fitted with the latest generation Rolex movement (calibre 3235), the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 is one of the most versatile and popular models in the kingdom of Rolex. A classic three-hander & date, the Datejust has the perfect balance between casual elegance and robustness, dressy enough for the office and sporty enough for a game of squash. Launched in 1945, the Datejust was the world’s first self-winding chronometer to indicate the date in a window on the dial. In addition to the date window, the Datejust came with a special gold Jubilee bracelet and a fluted bezel, the latter constituting a characteristic design feature of Datejust watches. The Cyclops lens over the date was incorporated in 1953. The bezel’s characteristic fluting was originally used to screw the bezel on to the case to ensure no water leaked into the movement.
Tropical Palm motif
Three of the new watches are embellished with the palm motif. The Oystersteel model with its Oyster bracelet features the green version of the palm motif. The second model is a yellow Rolesor (combination of Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold) with an Oyster bracelet and a golden rendition of the palm. The third model is an Everose Rolesor (combination Oysterseel and 18k Everose gold) on a Jubilee bracelet, this time with a silvery-grey palm dial.
Fluted motif
The fourth newcomer to the Datejust family is a yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold) with a Jubilee bracelet and flaunts a dial decorated with the brand’s hallmark fluted motif. Arranged horizontally across the dial, the fluting creates an interesting pattern of light and shade and echoes the yellow gold fluted bezel. The hour markers and hands on all four models are made from 18k gold to prevent tarnishing and treated with Rolex’ in-house luminescent material Chromalight emitting a long-lasting blue glow in the dark.
Oyster Case
Crafted from a solid block of corrosion-resistant Oystersteel, the 36mm case is as robust as they come. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the caseback is hermetically screwed down, and the Twtinlock screw-down crown features a double waterproofing system.
Calibre 3235
Since 2018, all Datejust 36 models are fitted with calibre 3235, the latest-generation Rolex movement with a perpetual rotor and new barrel architecture for a power reserve of 70 hours, along with anti-magnetic materials like a nickel-phosphorous escapement and a paramagnetic hairspring. Certified as a Superlative Chronometer by Rolex, offering precision of -2/+2 seconds per day, the watch is also COSC-certified and comes with a five-year guarantee.
Price
The price of the four Datejust 36 models is as follows: Oystersteel ref.126200, EUR 6,700. Oystersteel and yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor) ref. 126233 with palm dial, EUR 10,500. Oystersteel and Everose fold (Everose Rolesor) ref. 126231, EUR 11,400. Oystersteel and yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor) ref. 126233 with fluted dial, EUR 11,100.
More information at Rolex.