Rolex Datejust

Though we tend to view watches as more than mere accessories, we can’t deny that sartorial concerns don’t come to mind when we’re deciding what watch to wear. But there are certain watches that, quite simply, look good with everything. The Rolex Datejust is certainly one of those watches. Even though early Datejusts were only made in gold, Rolex still meant it to be worn every day. The presence of the date window (the first in history to turn over automatically at midnight) as well as the all-around sturdiness of the case spoke to its utilitarian nature. But it wasn’t until the Datejust was offered in steel that it attained the versatility for which it is known today. Perhaps the size has something to do with it. True, in these days of giant Panerais and the biggest of Big Pilots, 36mm can seem positively Lilliputian. But if you want a watch that can be worn every day, with a variety of attire—from professional to casual and everything in between—it’s hard to beat a Datejust in the classic 36mm case. And though Rolex still makes the Datejust, it’s vintage models that we lust after. The models from the 1960s in particular resonate the most with collectors, not least of all for their handsome good looks. The Reference 1601 is one that we find ourselves coming back to again and again. While some might favor the Reference 1600 with its smooth bezel, the fluted or engine-turned bezels featured on dressier models like the 1601 are touches of elegance that lift it to a more elevated sphere. Though Rolex made this model with a variety of dial colors, from simple white to dramatic black, it’s with silver dials like the one featured here that truly capture the beauty of this watch. The Datejust is the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything watch. Even if you’re not a “one watch guy” (then again, who is), the Datejust comes close to being the only watch you could ever need, not least of all because—we reiterate—it goes with everything. On a steel bracelet, it exudes elegance; on leather, refinement; and on nylon, a kind of toughness that only Rolex can have. It inhabits a space somewhere between sporty and dressy, suitable to many occasions.