Behind the Build: Oyster and Datejust Mods
Design, technology, and heritage - what better than a Rolex to represent the elegance of a luxury watch?
Rolex’s offerings of stylish design and sophisticated manufacturing techniques remains a potent force in the world of timepieces and is probably the most recognizable watch brand in the world.
At namokiMODS, we sell OEM Seiko spare parts, but we also have loads of options for anyone who wants to make a Seiko mod that pays homage to Rolex.
Let’s look at the Oyster, and the Datejust, two of the most popular watch designs from this Swiss watch powerhouse of a brand!
Rolex: The King of Watches
An icon of the Swiss watchmaking industry, the level of Rolex’s quality is inextricably linked to the people who make these hand-finished watches.
Source: Bob's Watches
Rolex has been a part of the social fabric for decades, and the brand helped the Swiss watch industry to survive the quartz crisis. It makes amazing water-resistant cases, and these innovations made watches more useful for everyone.
Professional water resistant watches help divers use watches in the water and time dives, and with a good weather resistant watch, a rainstorm is nothing to fear.
Buyers remain loyal to Rolex, and it has become an aspirational purchase, as well as an investment for many people.
For many, unfortunately, Rolex watches have become unaffordable. While the designs remain popular, the watches themselves have risen in price, and the popular all-steel sport models start around $10,000.
An Industry Leader
Since the advent of the first men’s wrist watches in the early 1900s, Rolex has evolved to be a prestigious showcase of craftsmanship, creative possibilities, and a benchmark of quality.
Celebrities love Rolex watches, and for many years, they were the go-to watches for many professionals. The watch brand was also a part of numerous historical events.
Source: Swiss Watch Expo
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, who made the first ascent of Mount Everest, wore Rolex watches. Roger Federer, a Swiss tennis legend, is also an enthusiast of the brand.
Rolex has launched a wide variety of innovative watches. Some of the most popular timepieces are housed in a Rolex Oyster case or the Rolex Datejust case.
While there are many watches out there, people are still drawn to these case designs. Let’s find out why!
The History of The Rolex Oyster Case
After the company called “Wilsdorf and Davis” was officially renamed “Rolex,” Rolex commissioned the invention of ‘waterproof’ watches from two inventors named George Peret and Paul Perregaux.
This move marked the advent of the world's first water-resistant watch, which was housed in the original Oyster case. Introduced in the late 1930s, the Rolex Oyster case has played an invaluable role in the history of watchmaking.
Source: Lyon and Turnbull
The Oyster case is perhaps the most popular from Rolex due to its sturdiness, and use over the past 70+ years. It is a masterpiece, and designed to be both robust and comfortable.
The flat three-piece oyster case has become a mainstay in Rolex's Oyster Perpetual collection.
In 1927, a Rolex Oyster accompanied Mercedes Gleitze, the first woman to swim across the English Channel, in her second attempt to conquer the challenge.
Gleitze might have failed the challenge, but it was a victory for Rolex - the Oyster worked properly under the water.
Nowadays, Rolex still collaborates with top level athletes to promote its products. Rolex watches are the official chronograph for Wimbledon tennis and the Australian Open.
Source: Chrono 24
The original Oyster case remained unchanged in design and structure until 1953. After the parts were improved, the case was modified to fit a number of recognizable models, including the GMT Master, Submariner, Explorer, and Milgauss.
While every model uses a different case, each one is clearly based in the original Oyster design.
Popular models, like the Submariner, have changed over the years, but when you look at a modern 41mm Submariner, it is easy to see how it has evolved from the original.
If you want to make your own Submariner homage, check out our dials and hands. You can mix parts and make something that you love, no matter if it is traditional, or innovative.
History of the Rolex Datejust
The arrival of Rolex Datejust in 1945 is a notable milestone in the watch market, and obviously the Rolex dynasty. The Rolex Datejust is a pioneering timepiece that combines luxury and durability.
Its minimalist design with only three hands - hours, minutes, and seconds, provides easy legibility and simple chic.
Source: Rolex Magazine
The first Rolex Datejust, model 4467, was introduced in 1945, with a modest design - a trio of needles and a date calendar at 3 o'clock. The day disc jumps at midnight thanks to intermediate wheels and a spring mechanism.
In 1954, Rolex gave the Datejust watches a new feature - the Cyclops magnifier for the date. Early Datejusts were solely available in gold, but were later available in stainless steel and Rolesor (rose gold) versions.
The bezel was also given a coin edge shape during the period, rather than the deeply fluted grooves like modern versions use.
The Rolex Datejust 41, which debuted at Baselworld 2016, is widely regarded as Rolex's modern luxury watch, and is available in various case materials and designs.
There is a Rolex Datejust for just about anyone, no matter their gender or wrist size. It is one of the most recognizable designs in the world of watches, and promises to endure for years to come.
Make Your Own Rolex Homage
With the price tag that comes with a Rolex, it is easy to see why making Rolex homage watches is so popular. If you're planning to build an homage mod to the Rolex Oyster, you can get our dress watch watchmaking kit and even select the color of the dial that goes with it. Already have your own modding tools? You can check out our NMK936 bundle for just the case and matching parts.
We have some great options that allow you to use SKX007 parts, and other watch spare parts, and create a watch that looks amazing.
Seiko Mod Watches deliver amazing performance, and cost a fraction of what a Rolex would. You can mix parts to make a unique homage piece, and swap out components whenever you want.
You are guaranteed to have a unique piece you love with Seiko watch mods, and parts from namokiMODS.
Happy modding!