Before I start this article, there’s something I must confess: I do not currently have a favorite Rolex Datejust. It’s not because I don’t like the watch or because I’ve tried and failed to find one — quite the opposite. If I can’t quickly name my favorite reference of these octogenarian perfect Rolex replica watches, it’s simply because I’ve never taken the time to find out what it might be. What better time to do so than as I write this? Procrastinatory implications aside, join me as I figure out what, in my (soon-to-be-established) opinion, is the best Rolex Datejust of all time.
Why don’t I know already? Well, I’ve never been in much of a rush to find out. The Datejust is not my favorite Rolex watch. I still respect its 80-year history and enjoy the concept behind the 1:1 fake Rolex watches. I even genuinely like the look of some configurations. That said, due to the Datejust’s ubiquitous nature, I’ve never felt a great urgency to get one for myself. This isn’t helped by the fact that, to me, my 1961 Omega Seamaster ref. 14762 has served as a low-stakes stand-in with its jangly beads-of-rice bracelet, date window, and 34.5mm case. Some might consider that sacrilegious, but it’s hard to feel you need to scratch when the proverbial itch isn’t there. This has meant that I’ve never spent much time going down the Datejust rabbit hole. And let me tell you, after 80 years in existence, it’s a deep one.
My criteria for the perfect Rolex Datejust
Now, I’ve not come entirely unprepared (just mostly). There are a few criteria that I can use to significantly narrow down the contenders in my search for the perfect Rolex Datejust. Unlike Mike or RJ, I don’t have any personal attachment to a Datejust reference. But, as charming as it may be to have a story that pulls at the heartstrings and provides a personal link to the Datejust, not having one gives me the advantage of a clean slate. I can follow my nose and bring together the key factors that, to me, make a perfect Datejust. The first one is a quick-set date. This, as I’ve learned by way of my vintage Seamaster’s lack thereof, is a strict necessity.
I’m one of those people who is neurotic enough to want a watch’s time and date set accurately before wearing it. Having to set the date to the 29th when it stopped on the 3rd is enough to either ruin my day or make me reach for AAA+ Rolex copy watches, so quick-set is non-negotiable. The other criteria are more pliable but no less important. First, I want my Datejust to feel vintage. This means a 36mm case with a plexiglass crystal on a Jubilee bracelet. I love the Jubilee and plexi combination’s warm, jangly vintage feel. Material-wise, it’s steel for me: not gold, not two-tone, just steel (well, and maybe some steel-looking white gold on the bezel).
When it comes to dials, less is more. “Wide Boy” or linen dials are about as crazy as I’d be willing to go. You can keep your stone, wood, tapestry, and Buckley dials. The final note is that I’m not a fan of engine-turned bezels. A fluted bezel works, but I’m also a big fan of a smooth bezel. At this point, those keeping score will have figured out I’ll likely be landing on either a Datejust ref. 16014 or 16000.
My favorite Rolex Datejust of all time: ref. 16014
Now that I’ve found the one, let’s quickly run through my checklist once again. Quick-set date, plexiglass, Jubilee bracelet, 36mm case, white gold fluted bezel, and stainless steel case and bracelet. Yep, this one ticks all the boxes. The final thing left to pick was the right dial. And that’s where my friend’s Datejust comes into play. It introduced me to this irresistible combination of a golden “champagne” dial with a stainless steel and white gold best replica Rolex Datejust watches. It’s one that I already knew from the patina on my vintage Seamaster, but I didn’t know it existed in a Datejust. Once again, I headed to our friends at Bulang & Sons to find a perfect (but sadly already sold) example.
The only thing I mentioned that requires clarification is my refusal of two-tone. This was referencing the case and bracelet materials. Now, fluted bezels are almost always exclusively made of gold, but the white gold one here maintains the white-metal look. Where it gets tricky is when you consider the dial and hands. Those have a yellow-gold look that, combined with the steel case and bracelet, could be regarded as two-tone. However, this is still a steel Datejust — perhaps two-tone-ish at best.
Still, I find this oddball and potentially dubious combination (the jury is still out as to whether these Datejusts left the factory looking this way) to be as understatedly charming as they come. There’s a certain easy-wearing nonchalance with just the right amount of grandeur that does this Datejust justice.
Just looking at it, I quickly fade into a daydream of a late-afternoon drive on a sweltering day somewhere by the Mediterranean coast, in a boxy, convertible means of transport (Defender, Mehari, you name it — just take the roof off), sunglasses on, on the way to spend the evening at a shady local seaside bar with friends, good food, cold drinks, and great music. I look down at my wrist, and telling me the time (not that it matters) is this golden-faced Datejust. A guy can dream!
Final thoughts
That wishful vision of my cheap clone Rolex watches seems like a good place to leave things. And look how far we’ve come since we started just over a thousand words ago! I now have a favorite Rolex Datejust. In the research I’ve done since selecting my contender, I’ve found that ref. 16014 Datejusts will run you about €4k–6k depending on condition and rarity (with some outliers that fetch a little more). The golden-dial apple of my eye sits at the higher end of that range and can be had for about €5,500.
