London-based author Nicholas Foulkes has written more than 40 books, many on watches and the luxury industry, and others on subjects as diverse as the Battle of Waterloo and gambling in the 1840s. He has written biographies of Count d’Orsay, Bernard Buffet and Princess Ira von Fürstenberg. He describes the opportunity to collaborate with Rolex as an honour. “Rolex is much more than just a watchmaker, it is an enterprise with global significance. There can be few, if any, corners of the world in which the name is unknown,” he noted. “The company has been a participant in many of the defining human endeavours of the last 100 years.”
Renowned watch expert Nicholas Foulkes explores the evolution of an icon, a supremely elegant status symbol for both men and women, the success of which continues to endure after eight decades.
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Nicholas Foulkes
224
English
29 september 2025
242 x 287mm
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hardcover
978-1-80521-894-4
2kg
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The definitive history of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust. This lavishly produced book combines new and original photography, alongside historical images from the official Rolex archives, to tell the full story of this classic and hugely influential timepiece. Published by Wallpaper* and written by watch expert Nicholas Foulkes, this finely crafted hardback 224-page book traces the evolution of the beloved Datejust across its 80 year existence – from a vision in Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf’s mind’s eye, through to its status as the ultimate watch of achievement – found on the wrist of the world’s leading athletes and artists. An essential acquisition for any watch aficionado, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust – the Watch that Made History, is the first officially sanctioned account of one of the world’s most influential watches.
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The first ever book authorised by Rolex
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“The Datejust remains, for many, the quintessential Rolex, its essential aesthetic qualities acknowledged as the perfect synthesis of sophisticated design and unassailable capability. The first Rolex chronometer-rated watch to be water-proof, self-winding and fitted with a date window, the Datejust became not only a symbol of worldly success, but a partner in life for all those committed to achieving their goals - a determination shared by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, who described the Datejust as ‘the pinnacle of watchmaking science’ at its launch in 1945.
“In this absorbing and meticulously researched book, renowned watch expert Nicholas Foulkes explores the evolution of an icon, a supremely elegant status symbol for both men and women, the success of which continues to endure after eight decades.” - Bill Prince, Editor-in-Chief, Wallpaper*
About The Author
The company has been a participant in many of
the defining human endeavours of the last 100 years
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“As a historian with a lifelong obsession with watches, I was delighted and excited to be given unique access to the Rolex archives and flattered and honoured to be invited to set down in print the first authorized accounts of timepieces that have helped shape history. I am very grateful to Rolex for having placed its trust in me to be the one to write its story. It is a fascinating tale, to which I have tried to do justice.”
“Of all of its models, the Datejust is the watch that many regard as Rolex’s most representative timepiece. However, do not let familiarity blunt your appreciation of what is a historically significant creation that did much to define the course that watch design would take during the second half of the twentieth century; the ultimate chameleon adapting itself effortlessly to every era since its launch in 1945, it has remained true to itself throughout and the 80-year-old original is still very recognizable in its 2025 descendant.” – Nicholas Foulkes, Author, Historian, Editor and Journalist.
The silk-bound first edition is exclusively available to preorder on the WallpaperSTORE*.
– Bill Prince, Editor-in-Chief, Wallpaper*
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£100*
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(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
Oyster PerpetuaL
DATEJUST
A Watch that Made History
Oyster Perpetual Datejust – A Watch that Made History is available to purchase online exclusively at WallpaperSTORE*
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OYSTER PERPETUAL
The Watch that Unlocked the Deep The paper hardback edition is currently
available via ACC Art Books by Nicholas Foulkes
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by Nicholas Foulkes
The latest in an ongoing series exploring the rich legacy of iconic Rolex watches
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DATEJUST
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by Nicholas Foulkes £100*
The latest in an ongoing series exploring the rich legacy of iconic Rolex watches
A Watch that Made History
*Shipping charges will be calculated at checkout depending on location
*Shipping charges will be calculated at checkout depending on location
Wallpaper's edit of the best products to buy right now
by Nicholas Foulkes £100*
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
(Image Credit: Wallpaper*)
VISIT ACC HERE
SUBMARINER
OYSTER PERPETUAL
The Watch that Unlocked the Deep The paper hardback edition is currently
available via ACC Art Books by Nicholas Foulkes
ADD TO BASKET
ADD TO BASKET
T&C's apply.
ADD TO BASKET
ADD TO BASKET
ADD TO BASKET
T&C's apply.
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