Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date

The Original Date-Window Rolex

The Oyster Perpetual Date is the watch that introduced the date complication to the Rolex Oyster lineup. It sits between the no-date Oyster Perpetual and the more elaborate Datejust — offering the convenience of a date display at 3 o'clock with the Cyclops magnifier, but without the day-of-week or the precious-metal options that define the Datejust and Day-Date lines.

The Date is primarily a 34mm watch, making it the most compact current-production Rolex with a date function. For collectors who find the modern 36mm and 41mm Datejust too large, the 34mm Date is the correct alternative — same Oyster case architecture, same date function, smaller wrist presence.

What Separates the Date from the Datejust

The Date and Datejust share the same basic architecture but differ in key details. The Date uses a simpler dial design — typically without applied markers — and is offered in fewer material combinations. The Datejust adds the fluted bezel option, the Jubilee bracelet, and a wider dial and material selection. In the pre-owned market, the Date trades at 30–40% below equivalent Datejust references, making it the best value entry into the Rolex date-function lineup.

Popular Date References

15200 (34mm, Steel) — The classic steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Oyster bracelet and smooth bezel. Clean, simple, and the most affordable Rolex with a date window.

15210 (34mm, Steel, Engine-Turned) — Same as the 15200 but with an engine-turned bezel that adds visual texture without the cost of a fluted gold bezel.

15053 (34mm, Two-Tone) — Steel and yellow gold with Jubilee bracelet. The two-tone Date is a collector favorite — all the warmth of a gold Rolex at a fraction of the Datejust two-tone price.

Pre-Owned Pricing Guide

The Date as an Entry Point

The Oyster Perpetual Date is the most affordable way to own a Rolex with a date complication and Cyclops lens. For buyers who want the core Rolex experience — Oyster case, automatic movement, date at 3, Cyclops — without spending $8,000+ on a Datejust, the Date delivers exactly that. Vintage references like the 1500 from the 1970s are particularly attractive to collectors who value mechanical charm and historical significance over modern specifications.

Sell Your Oyster Perpetual Date

We buy every Oyster Perpetual Date reference — from vintage 1500s to modern 15200s. Our evaluation factors in dial condition (vintage Date dials are prone to patina, which can add or subtract value depending on the buyer market), bracelet stretch, and movement service history. Walk-in appraisal or insured Parcel Pro shipping with same-day payment.

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