Now, let’s turn our attention to another 41 mm Datejust. The Datejust II fills a gap in the Rolex catalog with a larger, more modern version of the famous Datejust luxury watch. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement – enter the Datejust 41. it was released to the market in 2016, bringing a few design tweaks.
From the side, the replica Rolex Datejust 41 looks more glossy and buttoned up than the Datejust II. While it maintains the same 41mm diameter, the somewhat bulky lugs of its predecessor have been replaced by slimmer, more refined lugs. In addition, the bezel has been thinned, making the dial appear larger and adding to the overall relaxed design of the Datejust 41, which more closely resembles the aesthetic of the traditional Datejust 36. As far as contemporary formal watches go, the Datejust 41 does even the smallest details well.
Looking at the design options, the Datejust 41 offers more options. While the Datejust II was only produced with a three-link Oyster bracelet, the Rolex Datejust 41 can be ordered with either an Oyster bracelet or a sleeker five-link Jubilee bracelet, just like the Datejust 36. It also features metal finishes, including standard Oyster steel and all three Rolesor finishes, pairing steel with rose, yellow or white gold. As of this writing, we still do not have an all-gold Datejust 41 model.
Dial options varied from polarized “Wimbledon” Roman numeral dials to classic shades such as champagne or blue, adorned with fake Rolex’s spectacular Chromalight luminescent stick hour markers.
This movement replaces the long-reigning 3135 movements, which can be found in the Datejust 36 and the Datejust 41. The Datejust II, however, is powered by the 3136 calibers only.
This movement has a longer power reserve of 70 hours and a more efficient skeletonized Chronergy escapement. More than 90% of the components within the 3235 movements are new, resulting in a movement with better resistance to electromagnetic fields, a longer power reserve, and better overall efficiency of up to 15%.
With its countless variations, the Datejust is the most successful model ever produced by Rolex. It entered the market in 1945 and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Which model do you prefer? The classic Datejust 36? Or the 41 mm Datejust?