HANDS-ON: The most iconic Rolex gets an update – the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41
There are two main contenders for the title of ‘most recognisable watch in the world’, both of them made by Rolex. Naturally, the Submariner has a good shot at the title, but for me, the clear winner is the Datejust. First introduced in 1945, it includes one of the most useful and ubiquitous complications – a date window. Like many features we take for granted on a watch today, this date represented a Rolex first, in that rather than slowly transitioning over a few hours, the Datejust’s date jumped instantly at the stroke of midnight. Even though the model has been around for over 60 years now, the fundamentals haven’t changed much. Three hands, Oyster case, automatic movement and of course the date (with Cyclops). We saw its first leap to the 40mm+ club in 2009, with the bulked up, 41mm Datejust II. But it wasn’t just the diameter of this watch that had increased, it was broader all over: bezel, indices and lugs all felt super-sized. And while the masculine look had its fans, it lacked the elegant proportions of the classic version. Enter this year’s Datejust 41, released at Baselworld in a swathe of yellow and Everose Rolesor models, with options including fluted and…
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The story in a second When it comes to value, it’s hard to beat Seiko, and this Presage is no exception. If you ask any watch lover worth their salt to describe Seiko in five words or less, we’re willing to bet you’ll hear a phrase that’s a variant of ‘great value!’ This is true from the brand’s more accessible offerings – such as their famously indestructible divers – all the way up to the Grand Seiko and Credor lines. The Presage collection is no different, but until now, the well priced, 100 per cent mechanical line was only available only in the Japanese market. 2016 is the year Presage goes global, offering a great alternative to the usual suspects in the competitive $1-2K price point. And while the 60th anniversary chronograph has hogged the limelight, the entire collection is strong, with the slightly complicated SPB041J1 hitting the sweet spot in terms value and quality. The dial The first thing you’ll notice about the Presage SPB041J1, or indeed any of the models in the Presage Prestige (try saying that fast 10 times) collection is that they look quite vintage, and far more Swiss than we’re used to seeing from Seiko. I mean,…