Is the Date Just underrated?

[blatchcorn]

I get the vibe from most Rolex owners that the Date Just isn't that special because of the high volume production. And they are relatively easier to find from an AD compared to other models.

In spite of that I think it is a fantastic watch:
1. Versatile to function as casual or formal depending on the exact spec
2. Classic design and sizes
3. So many combinations of colours, materials, sizes, braclets, bezels, and dials that could make a lot of Date Justs more unique than Black Subs et al
4. One of the cheaper Rolex watches

I don't own a Date Just, but I have a few configurations in mind that I would buy instantly from an AD

[Paka]

No.

[yessir69]

Originally Posted by Paka

No.

This.


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[Harry-57]

Underrated? Can you walk into an AD, buy any configuration you like and walk out with it after getting a 20% discount?

If you can, it is.

I'm a Sky Dweller lover. I don't need a DJ. If the Sky Dweller did not exist I would have a couple of DJs. Quintessentially classic Rolex - classy, stylish, user friendly and durable. Goes well with anyone and anything.

[Number3]

A SS DJ41 with fluted bezel has a higher MRSP than the iconic Sub date. Rolex certainly don’t under rate them.

[Rashid.bk]

Short answer is no. To the general public at large the Datejust is the quintessential Rolex. It is unmistakable in design and heritage and I would say the most timeless and classic Rolex watch that is as difficult to buy in some configurations as most other references.

[Carondelet]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Short answer is no. To the general public at large the Datejust is the quintessential Rolex. It is unmistakable in design and heritage and I would say the most timeless and classic Rolex watch that is as difficult to buy in some configurations as most other references.

This! I know a lot of people in the watch community say the Submariner is the most iconic Rolex model. I disagree, I think when people think Rolex, they think Datejust. It's a timeless watch that looks good in any situation! It may not be talked about a lot, but certainly is popular, and not at all underrated.

[Old Expat Beast]

I don't think the modern DJ is underrated at all. Basically it's just an expensive watch with a date function, and a name that no-one can explain.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I don't think the modern DJ is underrated at all. Basically it's just an expensive watch with a date function, and a name that no-one can explain.

I think I read in one of my books that it was short for “Date just in time,” since the date changes right before midnight (rather than being slow moving throughout the day.)

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I think I read in one of my books that it was short for “Date just in time,” since the date changes right before midnight (rather than being slow moving throughout the day.)

The first Datejusts changed over gradually, they only flipped the date instantly from the mid 1950s.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by blatchcorn

I get the vibe from most Rolex owners that the Date Just isn't that special because of the high volume production. And they are relatively easier to find from an AD compared to other models.

In spite of that I think it is a fantastic watch:
1. Versatile to function as casual or formal depending on the exact spec
2. Classic design and sizes
3. So many combinations of colours, materials, sizes, braclets, bezels, and dials that could make a lot of Date Justs more unique than Black Subs et al
4. One of the cheaper Rolex watches

I don't own a Date Just, but I have a few configurations in mind that I would buy instantly from an AD

Well The DJ range has been Rolex biggest sellers world wide for decades that should tell you something. Great watches but not so hyped as many other Rolex models just look at the new old colour OP watches recently introduced. Now hyped to being the greatest things since slice bread, hype sells watches today and not the model reference. As many today buy the hype to just wear the hype thinking they have something special but like all Rolex watches just mass produced.

[Turbo Racer]

It is iconic in its very nature and I believe defines the brand more so than any other model to the general public followed closely by the sub. It conveys wealth and status and success in general better than any other watch bar none due to its ubiquity.

[Wee-Willie]

Originally Posted by Turbo Racer

It is iconic in its very nature and I believe defines the brand more so than any other model to the general public followed closely by the sub. It conveys wealth and status and success in general better than any other watch bar none due to its ubiquity.

I hate that any Rolex is "Wealth & Status", I bought mine because I liked the looks & feels.
I bought my 1st Rolex in 1986, long before the hype & social media. I wanted an excellent watch that would last a life time

[Turbo Racer]

Originally Posted by Wee-Willie

I hate that any Rolex is "Wealth & Status", I bought mine because I liked the looks & feels.
I bought my 1st Rolex in 1986, long before the hype & social media. I wanted an excellent watch that would last a life time

I agree with you about that one. It is what it is. Almost all of mine are old and don’t garner much attention. I don’t care very much what other people think about my watch but I am aware that others do.

[duquephart]

Originally Posted by Turbo Racer

It is iconic in its very nature and I believe defines the brand more so than any other model to the general public followed closely by the sub. It conveys wealth and status and success in general better than any other watch bar none due to its ubiquity.

Only to snobs and Rolex zombies. To the rest of us it conveys only that the owner knows a great watch when he sees one.

[JSolution]

Couldn’t think of a further term from under rated for this watch.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Couldn’t think of a further term from under rated for this watch.

Oh man.......

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Couldn’t think of a further term from under rated for this watch.

Classic

[bullies]

It’s a great watch. I sold one a couple years ago, but recently added one back to my collection

[Lightsped]

Love the DJ. So many options which allows DJ to be a dress watch or a sport watch based on how you configure it. Yes, DJ is a true Rolex icon.

[JRell]

Great watch had 3 of them, I just prefer a ceramic bezel.

[Krash]

I think it’s sort of underrated on TRF, but outside of TRF in the real world, it’s not.


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[Boopie]

Originally Posted by Krash

I think it’s sort of underrated on TRF, but outside of TRF in the real world, it’s not.


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Agreed. TRF can be very sports watch oriented. I see far, far more DJ “in the wild” than Subs, GMTS, Daytonas, etc. Oftentimes the DJ is the first and only Rolex people I know get.

It is very versatile with its multiple sizes and configurations. Especially before the recent trend of women wearing larger watches, when women wore watches in the 28-32mm range, Rolex was one of the very few fine watch brands to make automatic watches for women. In 2000, there weren’t a lot of choices for women. Even the Patel Twenty 4 was quartz, let alone Cartier, etc.

[ROlesorusLEX]

Underrated, no.

Underhyped, yes, thank god

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[mountainjogger]

No.

[joli160]

No, great watch

[JBowen2]

I think it’s often overlooked by enthusiasts (or hype) for the sport models. I’d say we take it for granted.

It’s not necessarily underrated bc most everyone knows what it is or has seen one.

I think at $8k it could be the best buy for modern Rolex. It can do everything, is arguably more comfortable than sport models and will never be out of style.


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[SoylentGreenChi]

Underrated? No, it’s one of the most popular Rolex references, has been for years, and for very good reasons.

I think what you might mean is that it’s not a « hyped » watch, which is also true. The very popularity and relative ubiquity of the Datejust (read: not underrated!) means that it cannot serve as a social marker of exclusivity in the same way that a Daytona, GMT II, or Sub can do. So it’s not a « hyped » watch and people don’t go nuts about them.

BTW, in the same _relative_ sense I would say a Submariner is « underrated ». Folks that want a hyped watch won’t love the relative ubiquity of the black Submariner, compared to say a Daytona or GMT II, or Kermit, but just like the Datejust, it’s a workhorse and super popular for good reasons.

So my response would be that it’s not underrated, it’s just not hyped.

[blatchcorn]

Originally Posted by SoylentGreenChi

Underrated? No, it’s one of the most popular Rolex references, has been for years, and for very good reasons.

I think what you might mean is that it’s not a « hyped » watch, which is also true. The very popularity and relative ubiquity of the Datejust (read: not underrated!) means that it cannot serve as a social marker of exclusivity in the same way that a Daytona, GMT II, or Sub can do. So it’s not a « hyped » watch and people don’t go nuts about them.

BTW, in the same _relative_ sense I would say a Submariner is « underrated ». Folks that want a hyped watch won’t love the relative ubiquity of the black Submariner, compared to say a Daytona or GMT II, or Kermit, but just like the Datejust, it’s a workhorse and super popular for good reasons.

So my response would be that it’s not underrated, it’s just not hyped.

Well said. The correct phrasing is Date Just isn't hyped

[spellmanski]

It's one of the best!