Few luxury creations have withstood the test of time like the Rolex Datejust. This year marks the model’s 80th anniversary — a milestone commemorating Rolex’s long-standing innovation and celebrating the enduring appeal of a watch that continues to captivate collectors and celebrities alike.

The first Rolex Datejust was introduced in 1945, the same year Rolex celebrated its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Swiss house released Ref. 4467 — one of the key references in Datejust history. Powered by the Calibre 710 movement, the timepiece was crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and featured the now-famous Jubilee bracelet. It was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to change the date display automatically.

Over the decades, the Datejust has retained its core design philosophy: understated elegance with robust engineering. While details have evolved subtly over the years, the essence has remained the same, proving that Rolex got it right from the start. As the saying goes, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

The Rolex Datejust is Loved by Many: From Tennis Stars to Royalty

What sets the Datejust apart isn’t just its horological merit — it’s how the luxury timepiece has quietly woven itself into the fabric of popular culture.

Take Roger Federer, who in 2024 was seen courtside at Wimbledon wearing a Rolex Datejust 36 with the celebrated ‘Wimbledon dial’ — a grey dial with green Roman numerals, paying homage to the iconic green Wimbledon tennis courts.

Rolex is also no stranger to red-carpet fashion, having appeared at many award ceremonies over the years. Rising tennis star and Rolex Testimonee Coco Gauff appeared at the 2025 Oscars, pairing her red-carpet couture with a sleek Datejust wristwatch.

Hollywood royalty of a different kind, Grace Kelly — later Princess of Monaco — was famously devoted to her Lady-Datejust, a timepiece that remains a classic women’s Rolex watch.

In January, former President Joe Biden wore a 41mm blue-dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust with a Jubilee bracelet to Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Beyond politics and sports, modern icons like Kylie Jenner, Rihanna, Lionel Messi, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Aniston, and Bono have all been spotted wearing Datejust models, reinforcing the watch’s universal appeal.

2025: The Year of the Crown

This year, Rolex isn’t just celebrating the Datejust — it’s enjoying a banner year for watch milestones across the board.

The GMT Master is celebrating its 70th anniversary, while the brand itself marks 120 years since it was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis.

Just announced at Geneva’s Watches & Wonders, Rolex’s new Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller has stolen the show. The standout release is supported by other notable timepieces, including a new version of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in 18k yellow gold with a red ombré dial.

Before Watches & Wonders, the recent announcement of Leonardo DiCaprio as an official Rolex Testimonee further fuelled the brand’s momentum in 2025. His debut came with the launch of Rolex’s new ‘Reach for the Crown’ campaign.

As the Rolex Datejust turns 80, it remains one of the few luxury pieces that defies trends while shaping them. Its versatility is unmatched — a watch defined not by hype, but by history. And in a world obsessed with the next big thing, that might just be the most luxurious statement of all.