The Original 1945 Rolex Pre-Datejust
The Design Ethos Of Every Modern Rolex
It is amazing how timeless the original Rolex Date from 1945 is!!! Notice it lacks the Datejust designation on the dial and has no cyclops-lens on the crystal. This model was an absolute game-changer in every way, and I believe this watch represents the absolute design ethos of every modern Rolex. This includes the modern Datejust, Day-Date, Submariner, GMT-Master, Daytona, Explorer, Air-King–you name it, it all began here.
This was the first watch in the world to ad a date-window complication and Rolex introduced the Jubilee Bracelet in 1945 on this model. The reason it is named the Jubilee Bracelet is because the 40th anniversary (in marriage parlance) is typically referred to as The Ruby Jubilee, just as the 25th is referred to as The Silver Anniversary and the 50 Anniversary is referred to as The Golden Anniversary. I also believe it was the first Rolex watch to to have solid end links.
Photo Credit: Rolex