About Rolex Date Watches
Although often confused with the similarly styled Datejust, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date is a separate model with its own history, specifications and reference numbers. The watch is often simply called the Rolex Date. Its restrained proportions and relatively accessible price point for preowned versions make it a great starter Rolex. The 2021 Rolex catalog has only a couple of Oyster Perpetual Date references. But the secondary market is home to a wide assortment of preowned Date watches in various materials, sizes and styles.
Rolex Date History
Rolex introduced the Date model in the 1950s as a slightly smaller alternative to the Datejust, which debuted the previous decade. While the Datejust featured a 36mm case, Rolex fitted the Date with a 34mm one.
In the early 1950s, Rolex produced the Reference 6518, which, depending on the specific example, can include the names Oysterdate Perpetual, Oyster Perpetual or Oyster Perpetual Date on the dial. However, by the mid-1950s, Rolex launched the Oyster Date Perpetual as a distinct collection with reference numbers that started with 653x.
In 1960, Rolex introduced the Date 15xx series with a new movement and updated dial. That same decade, smaller versions of the Date joined the lineup in the form of the 26mm Rolex Date and the 31mm Rolex Date.
Over the next decades, Rolex continued to release new generations of the Date 34 and Date 26 watches. The brand eventually discontinued the 26mm and 31mm Date watches to focus solely on manufacturing the Date 34.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Timeline
- Early 1950s: Rolex manufactured Reference 6518 in which some examples included the “Oyster Perpetual Date” label on the dial.
- Mid-1950s: Rolex released the Oyster Date Perpetual Reference 653x series
- 1960: Rolex released the Oyster Date Perpetual Reference 15xx series.
- 1960s: Rolex released 26mm and 31mm Oyster Perpetual Date models.
- 1980: Rolex released the Oyster Date Perpetual Reference 150xx series.
- 1990: Rolex released the Oyster Date Perpetual Reference 152xx series.
- 2006: Rolex released the Oyster Date Perpetual Reference 1152xx series.
The Rolex Date was once produced in a variety of materials, including gold, two-tone steel and gold, and stainless steel. In 2021, Rolex currently makes the Date 34 in two material options.
Rolex Date Models and Features
As its name implies, the Oyster Perpetual Date has a water-resistant “Oyster” case, an automatic “Perpetual” movement and a date window on the dial. Like almost all Rolex watches with date indicators (for instance, the Submariner Date, the Day-Date, the Datejust and so on), the Oyster Perpetual Date has a crystal fitted with a protruding Cyclops magnification lens above the date window.
As of 2021, there are two current Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date references, characterized by different bezels:
- Stainless steel Date 34 Reference 115200 with a stainless steel case and smooth steel bezel
- White Rolesor Date 34 Reference 115234 with a stainless steel case and white gold fluted bezel
Rolex used to also make the steel Date 34 Reference 115210 with an engine-turned steel bezel as part of this particular series — but that reference is discontinued.
Regardless of the specific bezel style, all Date Reference 1152xx watches share the following features:
- 34mm stainless steel Oyster case with a screw-down winding crown and caseback
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a Cyclops lens
- Dial with a date window at the 3 o’clock position
- Stainless steel three-link Oyster bracelet
- Folding Oysterclasp equipped with the Easylink 5mm extension mechanism
- COSC-Certified Caliber 3135 with 48 hours of power reserve
- 100 meters (330 feet) water resistance
Prior to the latest versions of the Oyster Perpetual Date, Rolex had made four other generations of the 34mm Date model.
Date Reference 653x (approximately mid-1950s-1960)
- References: Date Reference 6530 (steel case with smooth bezel), Date Reference 6535 (steel case with engine-turned bezel, Date Reference 6534 (steel case with white gold fluted bezel) and Date Reference 6537 (yellow gold)
- Radium luminescence
- Acrylic crystal
- Caliber 1035
Date Reference 15xx (approximately 1960-1979)
- References: Date Reference 1500 (steel case with smooth bezel), Date Reference 1501 (steel case with engine-turned bezel), Date Reference 1505 (two-tone steel/yellow gold), Date Reference 1503 (14-karat yellow gold) and Date Reference 1507 (18-karat yellow gold)
- Tritium luminescence
- Acrylic crystal
- Caliber 1565 or 1575
Date Reference 150xx (approximately 1980-1989)
- References: Date Reference 15000 (steel case with smooth bezel), Date Reference 15010 (steel case with engine-turned bezel), Date Reference 15053 (two-tone steel/yellow gold), Date Reference 15037 (14-karat yellow gold) and Date Reference 15038 (18-karat yellow gold)
- Tritium luminescence
- Acrylic crystal
- Caliber 3035
Date Reference 152xx (approximately 1990-2005)
- References: Date Reference 15200 (steel case with smooth bezel), Date Reference 15210 (steel case with smooth bezel), Date Reference 15223 (two-tone steel/yellow gold) and Date Reference 15238 (18-karat yellow gold)
- Tritium or Super-LumiNova luminescence
- Sapphire crystal
- Caliber 3135
A particularly intriguing vintage Rolex Date model is Reference 1530, which was produced from 1975 to 1977. The Date 1530 is unlike any other model that shares its name. Not only does it have a bigger 36mm case size, but it also features an angular case shape and integrated bracelet. It has the same look as the Oysterquartz Rolex watches (which were released in 1977) but rather than a quartz movement, the Date 1530 runs on an automatic movement.
Rolex Date Price and Collectibility
Thanks to its smaller case size, the latest Oyster Perpetual Date watches are slightly less expensive than comparable Datejust 36 models. In 2021, retail prices for the Rolex Date are as follows:
- Rolex Date 34 Reference 115200: $6,500
- Rolex Date 34 Reference 115234: $7,650
- Rolex Date 34 Reference 115234 with diamond dial: $8,550
Depending on age and condition, prices for preowned Date Reference 115200 watches range from $5,000 to over $8,000 — with blue dials commanding the highest prices. Preowned Date Reference 115234 with white gold bezels range from over $6,000 to over $9,000.
Older references are typically less expensive. For instance, preowned Date Reference 15200 watches start at around $3,600, while preowned Date Reference 15000 watches start at $3,500. A yellow gold Date Reference 15038 can start as low as $4,500 for versions fitted with a leather strap to just under $10,000 for one with a matching gold bracelet.
Due to its relatively short production run and collectibility among Rolex enthusiasts, the Date 1530 rarely comes to market, but when it does, this steel Rolex can command prices from over $7,000 to $17,000.