TIMEPIECES
inspired by audacity
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LEE MICHAELS
FOR THE WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT, ROLEX’S LADY-DATEJUST COMBINES ELEGANCE WITH UNCOMPROMISING TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE. By Christen Fisher Since long before “women’s liberation” there have been women of stunning accomplishment in many fields beyond the home, and Rolex has recognized them for almost a century. Beginning in 1927 with Mercedes Gleitze, the first Englishwoman to swim the English Channel and Rolex’s first Testimonee, the brand has long championed women with the audacity to strive for and achieve excellence. Society’s perception of women’s role continued to evolve and broaden in the years after World War II. Inspired by icons like actress Audrey Hepburn, writer Francoise Sagan and equestrian Pat Smythe, more women began to follow their own priorities and chase their own successes. Rolex took note, and in 1957 the company unveiled a watch inspired by and created for assertive, independent women forging their own paths to success, the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust. At just 28 millimeters, the Lady-Datejust was a technical and cultural achievement that put the reliability and precision of a men’s watch into a case sized for a woman. Today, the Lady-Datejust continues to set the standard for uncompromising technical performance and timeless elegance, gracing the wrists of such accomplished women as marine biologist Sylvia Earle, golf champion Annika Sörenstam and pianist Yuja Wang. These women are at the top of their fields, breaking barriers and records as they strive for ever-higher levels of excellence, paving the way for the next generation. Made for a woman on the move, the Lady-Datejust is equipped with caliber 2236, a self-winding mechanical movement exclusively developed and manufactured by Rolex. Its Perpetual rotor ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. And when the road gets bumpy, the watch is notably resistant to shocks, thanks to a unique balance wheel with variable inertia regulated via gold Microstella nuts and held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge and high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers. Its Syloxi hairspring in silicon renders it 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring. It also boasts a power reserve of 55 hours. Because you never know where the road to success might lead, the Lady-Datejust’s Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 meters. Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel or 18K
gold. The finely fluted caseback is hermetically screwed down, and its Twinlock winding crown is fitted with a double waterproofness system and screws down securely against the case. Its sapphire crystal with cyclops date lens at 3 o’clock is virtually scratchproof. Though classic and timeless in style, the Lady-Datejust honors each woman’s individuality through its myriad dial, bezel and bracelet offerings. Multiple dial variations are available in a wealth of materials, colors, motifs and markers—indices, Roman or Arab numerals—with numerous gem-setting options for the hour markers or the dial itself. Domed, fluted or gem-set, the bezel of the Lady-Datejust is available in three different designs, each conferring its own distinctive aesthetic. The Lady-Datejust is available in several metal alloys: Oystersteel, 18K yellow, white or Everose gold and in a Rolesor version (a combination of Oystersteel and yellow, white or Everose gold). Depending on the version, the Lady-Datejust is available on a threepiece link Oyster bracelet with a folding Oysterclasp; on a five-piece link Jubilee bracelet with a Crownclasp; or on a three-piece link President bracelet with a Crownclasp. The Lady-Datejust’s Oyster bracelet also features the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length easily by approximately 5 millimeters, for additional comfort in any circumstance. The President bracelet, fitted on some 18K gold versions, includes ceramic inserts inside the links to enhance its flexibility and longevity. And for the woman whose success sparkles just a little brighter, Rolex recently introduced an entirely gem-set version in 18K yellow gold. The case is set with 158 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case sides and lugs, with the bezel featuring another 44 brilliant-cut diamonds. This new Lady-Datejust is fitted on a President bracelet additionally set with 596 brilliant-cut diamonds, and features a spectacular dial paved with an additional 291 brilliant-cut diamonds. Inspired by the audacity of postwar women to achieve their own successes and sustained by the incredible women who carry on that legacy today, the Rolex Lady-Datejust is the face of modern femininity and a celebration of those who dared to lead the way.
The Rolex Lady-Datejust was a technical and cultural achievement that put the reliability and precision of a men’s watch into a case sized for a woman. Its modern iterations remain the face of femininity. Clockwise from top left: Lady-Datejust in an Everose Rolesor version, bezel set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds, chocolate dial set with 10 diamonds; Lady-Datejust in 18 ct yellow gold, bezel set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds, white mother-of-pearl dial set with 10 diamonds; The first Lady-Datejust, launched in 1957; Lady-Datejust in a white Rolesor version with a fluted bezel and a dark gray dial with Roman numerals.
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