1 min read | 97 words
The Three Watches That Define Modern Luxury
The Datejust (1945), Royal Oak (1972), and Nautilus (1976) are the three most important luxury steel watches ever made. The DJ invented the date-display wristwatch. The RO invented the luxury sports watch. The Nautilus proved a second brand could play the luxury sports game. Together, they define the entire landscape of modern luxury horology.
| Factor | Datejust 41 | Royal Oak 15500 | Nautilus 5811 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | 1945 | 1972 | 1976 (5811: 2022) |
| Designer | Rolex in-house | Gérald Genta | Gérald Genta |
| Case | 41mm round | 41mm octagonal | 41mm porthole |
| Dial | Sunburst (20+ colors) | Tapisserie | Horizontal embossed |
| Material | 904L steel (+ gold options) | 316L steel | White gold ONLY (5811) |
| Retail | $10,800 | $27,000 | $58,000 |
| Secondary | $11,500+ | $38,000+ | $80,000+ |
