Latest Vintage Piece

Rolex Datejust 41 (December 2023) 126333. $22,650.00 CAD. 505-00619

The Datejust has evolved over the past 8 decades with dial and bezel variations, movement/bracelet improvements as well as new material options. What hasn’t changed is the overall feel and look, always remaining distinctly Datejust. When introduced in 1945 it was a game-changer, commemorating the esteemed Swiss brand’s 40th anniversary. Not only was the Datejust the first self-winding wrist chronometer with a date display, first watch with an instantaneous change calendar, it was also the first Rolex to feature the legendary cyclops date magnifier on the crystal. It’s Rolex’s most versatile model and for decades had an almost unchanging Dorian Gray effect; a watch that could be purchased and worn for decades without looking dated or out of fashion. Over the past 15 years or so the trend has shifted towards larger watches (until 2009 the largest Datejust was 36mm). Consumers demanded more sophistication and greater attention to detail with technological and mechanical improvements. Slow to change Rolex realized they had to come up with something bigger, something that appealed to a new generation of luxury watch clients. Pictured beside a 36mm Datejust the Datejust 41 is noticeably larger. Rolex has always maintained extremely strict tolerance and standards for anything leaving their factory. They even refine their own gold to assure consistency and control alloy specifications. They knew they could produce a 41mm timepiece that would be revered for years to come. Rolex’s first foray into a larger 41mm diameter Datejust was with the Datejust II and it received somewhat mixed reviews. As expected, people loved the size, but they also found the proportions to be a bit off and complained it was a bit bulky and awkward looking. There are numerous online watch forums you can join where collectors gather and dissect every subtle nuance found in a wristwatch. No scuff, blemish, or discoloration was acceptable coming from the factory; the concerns came from the balance and proportions, case profile and lug shape of the DJII were voiced. Slowly a “perfect Datejust checklist” was formed with changes that could be implemented to make a 41mm Datejust perfect. In 2016, to many collector’s delights, Rolex released a second version of the 41mm Datejust, the Datejust 41. Almost immediately and uniformly believed to be the best Datejust ever. It featured a slimmer profile with thinner lugs blending beautifully allowing it to show proudly on the wrist and yet slip comfortably under a shirt cuff. What lurks within the 904L stainless steel case is also an improvement, the calibre 3235 movement. Collectors love and appreciate the older workhorse 3135 mechanism that were used for 20 plus years in the Datejust and even Submariner models, but as a user, you cannot compete against the new generation Rolex 32XX movements like the 3235. It is not an evolution of the 3135, as over 90% of the parts are new. Without diving too deep, the 3235 features a completely new type of escapement (the heart of a movement), a modified barrel design allows for a longer mainspring with extended power reserve, new winding module to increase efficiency and tighter accuracy tolerances. In keeping with the Rolex philosophy of “in-house” manufacture, they have improved gear train efficiency by developing their own proprietary lubricants. Even though the movement is rarely seen and only by qualified watchmakers, they have even refined the aesthetic finishes on the movement itself. All these improvements ultimately provide the wearer with an extremely accurate, dependable, reliable timepiece with a very long 70-hour power reserve. Rolex suggest the new series of mechanisms only require servicing once every ten years! Our Datejust 41 is the upgraded two-tone yellow Rolesor model featuring the quintessential yellow gold fluted bezel with champagne dial. The watch showcases the  more comfortable and dressier Jubilee bracelet featuring a clever “easylink” with a locking buckle. The easylink provides a convenient 5mm extension when you need a touch more room in the bracelet. The buckle has been, believe it or not, factory tested and designed to “snap” closed not only to be secure but to also sound secure. As a final touch this watch comes with 10 diamond hour markers set in 18 karat yellow gold settings. Rolex continue to use basic single cut diamonds for dial decoration. They may be the most basic cut for a round diamond but the quality and proportions are as good as is gets providing more sparkle than you’d expect from a diamond that only has 17 facets. Under some magnification you can easily see just how perfect Rolex make the tiny details. There is a reason Rolex is the number one luxury watch brand. Even the text and dial printing on the dial is without flaw. This watch is perfect in every way. It has only been worn a couple of times since in was sold new by an Ontario authorized Rolex agent in December 2023. It comes with the original fully endorsed warranty card covering the watch under an international 5-year warranty that will cover the next owner until December 2028. This is a full set in excellent condition, completely original and  has never been polished or refinished in any way. Offered with inner/outer box, documents, warranty card, chronometer hang tag, foam box liner and even a Rolex shopping bag. With the direction of gold pricing we expect Rolex will take an even larger price increase for 2026 to cover the added input commodity cost of gold. This modern classic is estate priced at $22,650.00 CAD (slightly under the current retail price). Stock #505-00619.

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