English Version | Declaration of independence

If diamonds are a woman's best friend, the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust is her partner for life. Introduced in 1957, at a time when the female sex was beginning to break through the glass ceiling that had limited their aspirations for centuries, Rolex's watch balanced elegant design with top technical performance. It was therefore the perfect accessory for the modern woman - and its timelessness has allowed it to remain so to this day. Start by blaming Grace Kelly. The Princess of Monaco and Hollywood star had a passionate relationship with her Lady-Datejust and was regularly spotted with this exquisite model adorning her wrist. Today, there are many faces who reinforce the contemporary nature of the Rolex watch, from renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle to music prodigy Yuja Wang. Added to this list are tennis champion Garbiñe Muguruza, actresses Jennifer Aniston and Zendaya, as well as marine biologist and coral protector Emma Camp. All these women, pioneers in their fields, are a portrait of the vibrant femininity represented in the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust and its constant quest for excellence.

But what makes this Rolex watch a timeless feminine classic? Essential to its elegance is the 28mm case, whose smallness is no indication of its robustness. In Oystersteel or pure 18-carat gold, the Lady-Datejust can withstand more than 100 meters underwater and is equipped with calibre 2236, a self-winding mechanism with a power reserve of 55 hours and Rolex's Superlative Chronometer certification. Also contributing to its outstanding performance is the Syloxi spiral, exclusive to the Swiss brand, which guarantees the stability and precision of the watch, and the Paraflex shock absorbers, designed to protect it from the tribulations of everyday life - or this model wouldn't be as fearless as the women who wear it. In addition to the technical innovations, the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust revolutionized the watchmaking market through its design. At the time of its creation, the date display on the dial was a unique feature, so unique that it derived its name from it. Years later, it is still present on every variation of the female model. And there are many variations, embodied in the colors, materials and markers selected. The chromatic palette expands to include sophisticated shades of white, silver, champagne and pink. However, it is mother-of-pearl that steals the hearts of Lady-Datejust admirers. Depending on the part of the shell from which it is extracted, it can appear in shades of pink, white, yellow or black. In this sense, no two mother-of-pearl dials are the same, making Rolex's watch exclusive. Even so, there is one version of the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust that manages to be even more special: the 2021, in 18-carat yellow gold, set with the most beautiful diamonds. The case alone contains 158 small precious gems, plus 44 on the bezel and 291 on the dial. On the President bracelet, 596 diamonds complete this ultimate object of desire. It is a natural evolution of the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust, which reflects the changes in the world that progresses with each movement of the hands. If, in 1957, women were breaking the glass ceiling, today they are perhaps society's most precious stones. And on their wrist rests the declaration of their independence.

*Originally translated from the Love & Hope Issue, published December 2023. Full credits and stories in the print issue.