| Rolex Datejust : The Datejust models were | | | | pioneering chronographs. However the success of |
| introduced with a coin edge bezel, which later | | | | the Cosmograph impelled Rolex to be in the |
| were replaced by a new fluted bezel along with a | | | | position of being the ultimate "sportsman's" watch. |
| larger crown. In the mid-50's, Rolex introduced the | | | | These watches soon adopted the name |
| Datejust (model 6605) with the cyclops, or the | | | | "Daytona" after being sought out by some of the |
| magnifying bubble that is placed over the date on | | | | biggest names in auto racing in one of the biggest |
| the watch's crystal. In 1956, Rolex released a | | | | racing communities of Daytona Beach, Florida. In |
| Datejust model called the "Thunderbird" (model | | | | the beginning, the Daytona's were available in two |
| 1625). This watch featured a Turn-O-Graph gold | | | | dials, either in black with silver registers or cream |
| Bezel. | | | | white with black registers. Soon, these dials |
| Originally, Rolex offered the Datejust in 18kt | | | | adopted the name "Paul Newman" after he was |
| yellow gold and after seeing much success, they | | | | seen wearing it in the movie "Winning". |
| were offered in stainless steel, white gold, or | | | | |
| platinum. By 1962 the two-tone Datejust models | | | | Rolex Day-Date : The Basel fair, the new |
| were in circulation. Also around this time, the | | | | Day-Date model (model 6511) had a window at |
| Datejusts were offered with an option of a | | | | the 12 position spelling out the day of the week |
| Jubilee bracelet, an Oyster bracelet, or a leather | | | | and the numbered date was shown at the 3 |
| strap. Additionally, Rolex replaced the original | | | | position. Initially introduced as a niche model, The |
| four-digit case reference number with a five digit | | | | first model (6511) lasted just over a year before |
| number. Around this time, Rolex also introduced | | | | it was replaced by 6611. This model featured the |
| the Oyster date which is very similar to the | | | | new and improved caliber 1055 movement with |
| Datejust, the only difference being 2mm smaller. | | | | its free sprung Micro-Stella balance and was the |
| By then, the Datejust offered the "midsize" which | | | | first to be labeled "Superlative Chronometer |
| is 80% the size of the original. | | | | Officially Certified". This statement guaranteed the |
| | | | watch to remain within + 3.0 seconds per day. |
| Rolex Submariner: In 1953 Rolex underwent | | | | With very little design changes over the years, |
| stringent experiments, testing the Submariner | | | | the first modification to the Day-Date was the |
| prototype in deep waters to a depth of 3,150 | | | | addition of the "hack" feature in 1972. This allowed |
| meters (10,336 ft). The watch withstood the | | | | the second hand to be stopped dead while the |
| hardest tests, having survived sub-zero | | | | winding stem was completely pulled out, allowing |
| temperatures, as well as the wear and tear of | | | | the time to be synchronized with an accurate |
| expeditions. Rolex launched the Submariner (model | | | | source. The Day-Date was available in 18kg gold |
| 6204) at the Basel Fair in 1954 although it is | | | | or platinum. |
| believed that it was actually released in late 1953 | | | | Similar to the Datejust model, the introduction of |
| and was based on the Rolex Explorer. On the | | | | the Quick-set feature also accompanied other |
| contrary, the name "Submariner" was not officially | | | | modifications for the Day-Date. The introduction |
| patented until around 1960. When introduced, the | | | | of the sapphire crystal not only gave the watch a |
| Submariner was powered by the A296 | | | | much slimmer and better appearance, it also |
| movement but was then replaced with the 1030 | | | | added to the durability and scratch resistance of |
| movement and Mercedes hands, which is more | | | | the watch. The early Day-Date models were |
| elongated than the modern day version. In 1955, | | | | waterproof to165 feet (50 meters) while the |
| model 6538 replaced 6204, and the 6205 by 6536 | | | | current model is safe at depths of up to 100 |
| respectively. Model 6536 then became 6536/1, | | | | meters. Another improvement came in 1990 |
| featuring a chronometer version of the 1030 | | | | when the "Double Quick-Set" feature was |
| movement. New Submariner models featured a | | | | introduced. Model 18238 allowed both the date and |
| new scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and an | | | | day to be quickly set via the winding stem. |
| upgraded depth rating of 1,000 feet. | | | | Around the same time, Rolex had increasingly |
| | | | expanded their "Crown Collection" to feature a |
| Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: Rolex were | | | | cast of precious stones though they were |
| forerunners in developing the Oyster and | | | | available with diamond bezels from their inception. |
| Perpetual. Thus, Rolex was not well known for | | | | |