Rolex Oyster Perpetual DATEJUST – A Watch That Made History

About the book

Swiss watchmaker Rolex has joined forces with renowned design publisher Wallpaper* to release the first authorized history of the iconic Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch.

This luxurious book came about in a truly exceptional way – Rolex opened its archives for the first time and entrusted their story to renowned historian and writer Nicolas Foulkes. He enthusiastically and humbly accepted the opportunity to create the first authorized look at a watch that profoundly influenced the history of design and technology. As the author himself states, the Datejust is for many the most representative model of the Rolex brand – a chameleon that has naturally reflected the spirit of each era since 1945 while remaining true to its original identity.

The publication combines unique archival images with exclusive photographs of contemporary models, telling the fascinating story of a watch that defined the direction of watchmaking in the second half of the twentieth century. The precise craftsmanship, high print quality, and aesthetic design make the book not only an elaborate chronicle but also a collector's artifact.

"Oyster Perpetual Datejust" is an ideal choice for anyone who admires timeless style, top-notch craftsmanship, and wants to own a piece of history of a brand that shaped the modern concept of luxury.

This richly illustrated book offers an extraordinary visual and reading experience. It combines current, exclusive photographs with selected archival images from official Rolex materials, comprehensively telling the story of the iconic Datejust model – a watch that has become a symbol of elegance, innovation, and technical precision.

London-based writer Nicholas Foulkes, author of some 40 books, many of which focus on watches, describes the opportunity to write the first authorized history of the Submariner model as an honor. "Rolex is not just a watch brand; it's a global phenomenon. There are few places in the world where its name is not known," Foulkes noted. "As a historian with a passion for watches, I was honored to be able to access the Rolex archives and create the first official record of a watch that shaped history."

First authorized history of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch

Richly illustrated with color and black and white photographs, many of which are published for the very first time.

The author of the book drew directly from the Rolex archives. This is the only monograph of the Datejust model published to date that has been authorized by Rolex.

ISBN 9781805218944

224 pages

over 200 illustrations

Hardcover book (2 kg)

Language: English