Rolex Quietly Updates the Datejust 41 and 36 in 2026 with new Roman Numeral Dials

We’ve long come to understand that, during Watches and Wonders (where it releases almost its entire collection for the year), Rolex communicates only on certain of its novelties. What the brand considers the most important, the most relevant and the deepest updates. But, there’s very often more to the story than just what’s been presented to us during our press meeting, or what’s available on the brand’s press website. Case in point, Rolex has launched over 100 new Datejust references this year. That includes, of course, the new version with a Green Ombré dial, as well as an array of new models featuring redesigned, modernised Roman numerals and new combinations of colours and materials. 

For its 2026 collection, Rolex mostly brought to the spotlight its Oyster collection, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, by releasing a special edition in steel and gold (and not only in 41mm but also 31 and 36mm models), as well as a highly colourful Jubilee dial and new gold options for the 28 and 34mm editions. Other novelties include a high-end Rolesium and enamel Daytona, a new gold alloy named Jubilee gold for the Day-Date and a revamped Yacht-Master II. For its emblematic Datejust, the brand solely talked about a new gradient green dial (ombré), presented on a 41mm edition with a fluted bezel and an Oyster bracelet. But, if we only look at this specific colour, it isn’t about one new model, but 4 different versions in 41mm only (Oyster or Jubilee bracelet, smooth or fluted bezel). And then there are the same 4 styles in 36mm.

However, as said in the introduction, there’s much more to the Datejust collection this year than just that new gradient green dial. The most important of the non-advertised novelty concerns the dials equipped with Roman numerals, which have been deeply redesigned, giving the collection a more modern edge and more consistency with the applied markers found on its bigger sister, the Day-Date. For many years, the Datejust has been available with classic, almost old-fashioned Roman numerals with serifs, as found for example on the Wimbledon or the Azzuro Blue.

The 2026 collection introduces sharper, sans-serif applied Roman numerals that somehow recall what’s used on the Day-Date. The numerals are now composed of separate elements (for example, 4 batons for the IIII or 4 distinct elements for VIII), while before each numeral was a single element. Also, these numerals are now flat and angular, and have a thicker profile than what was previously used on the model, and the baton marker at 9 o’clock has been replaced by a numeral. So not only is the typface different, but the execution is drastically updated, too. The result is both more complex and yet sleeker, more modern than before. Technically speaking, no updates are to be reported; the 41mm and 36mm retain the exact same specifications.

However, besides the new numerals, several new combinations of colours and materials are introduced to the Datejust 41 and Datejust 36 collections. We’re not going to list them all here (as said, more than 100 new references have been quietly launched), but here are some examples of what has been added this year:

• new Azzuro blue references, in 36mm and 41mm
• 41mm Rolesor models, either in yellow or Everose, with respectively olive or mint green dials

The rest of the collection includes white or black dials for the 41mm version, as well as black, olive, mint, aubergine, dark grey, pink, and chocolate dials for the Datejust 36, paired on option with diamonds on the 6 and 9 o’clock markers, and diamonds on the bezel. To discover the entire new range of models, please visit rolex.com.