Datejust 36 (Bright Black Dial)

The Datejust introduced the date window to the wristwatch in 1945, the first Rolex to pair the waterproof Oyster case with the self-winding Perpetual rotor, hence the name. Its smooth-bezel steel version has run continuously since the 16200 of 1988; the 116200 took over in 2004 for a fifteen-year run, the longest of any modern Datejust reference, before the 126200 replaced it in 2019 with the current calibre 3235.

This Rolex Datejust 36 wears a 36mm steel Oyster case with a smooth bezel and a bright black sunray dial. Calibre 3235 inside, on a steel Oyster bracelet.

Fun fact: the magnifying 'Cyclops' lens over the date, standard on every Datejust since the 1950s, is said to trace back to Hans Wilsdorf noticing how a stray droplet of water on his own watch crystal made the date beneath it briefly, dramatically legible.