Rolex Datejust 36: Singapore Price And Review

A fail-safe Rolex for all times.

Of all the Rolexes that have entered the watchmaking canon as legends, the Datejust is possibly the most influential yet understated of them all. It is easy to term the Datejust as a ‘basic’ Rolex, but all of its trademark features have in one way or another been transplanted into the brand’s entire repertoire.

The collection turns 73 this year, and this 36mm model in a Rolesor combination of steel and Everose gold boasts significant upgrades, the most pertinent one being the automatic Calibre 3235 that powers the Datejust 36 line for the first time. An engine that debuted in 2015 in the Pearlmaster, the Calibre 3235 promises to be twice as precise than other chronometers with tolerance of +/-2 seconds per day, as well as offer greater energy efficiency with 70 hours of power reserve, among other benefits.

Of the numerous versions of the Datejust 36 offered this year, which include a yellow Rolesor with champagne coloured dial and diamond-set hour indexes and another, also in yellow Rolesor with white mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set bezel, the model that we’ve picked here stands out for its everyday versatility, great for day-to-day wear while expressing subtle glamour with a touch of gold.

With a 36mm case, the watch would obviously appeal to women. While slightly smaller than the slew of unisex 38mm watches rolled out by many brands in the past two years, the Datejust 36 looks and feels substantial on a slender wrist, as our online editor discovered at Baselworld 2018 (below).

Indeed, the Datejust’s imprint is in every Rolex watch we see, making it a great option for a first Rollie. Important features such as waterproofness, Cyclops date window at three o’clock, and top-level chronometric certifications all have their roots in the Datejust collection. This is not the fanciest Rolex watch you’d own, but as a symbol of enduring style and quality construction, the Datejust is Rolex’s most recognisable and dependable icon.

Case	36mm Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18K Everose gold)
Dial	White lacquer
Movement	Automatic Calibre 3235
Bracelet	Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18K Everose gold)
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power  Reserve	70 hours
Price	S$14,690