The Rolex Datejust 41 and the Datejust II share a 41 mm case size, but they are different generations: the Datejust II (references 116300 and 116334, 2009 to 2016) runs the calibre 3136 and has chunkier proportions, while the Datejust 41 (126300 and 126334) runs the calibre 3235 and has slimmer lugs and bezel, a longer power reserve and a Jubilee bracelet option. If you want the more refined and more current watch, buy the Datejust 41; if you want a bolder look and a lower entry point on the pre-owned market, a clean Datejust II is a fair choice. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk, not an authorised Rolex retailer; the Rolex Datejust 41 watches we can source are configurations we can seek to order, not stock on hand.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices move daily, so we point to the dated from-prices on the linked listings rather than quoting figures here. Sources: Rolex, Datejust collection and Rolex, watch care and service.
What is the difference between the Datejust 41 and the Datejust II?
The difference is the generation: the Datejust 41 is the 2016 redesign of the Datejust II. Rolex introduced the Datejust II in 2009 as its first 41 mm Datejust, and it kept the Oyster case, the date window under a Cyclops lens and the Oyster bracelet. The Datejust 41 kept the diameter but reworked the details. The lugs are slimmer, the bezel is trimmer and the hour markers are less heavy, so the same 41 mm reads as more balanced on the wrist. Under the dial, the movement moved from the calibre 3136 to the calibre 3235.
Datejust 41 vs Datejust II specifications side by side
| Spec | Datejust II | Datejust 41 |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 2009 to 2016 | 2016 to present |
| Case diameter | 41 mm | 41 mm |
| Common references | 116300 (steel, smooth bezel), 116334 (steel and white gold, fluted bezel) | 126300 (steel, smooth bezel), 126334 (steel and white gold, fluted bezel) |
| Movement | Calibre 3136, self-winding | Calibre 3235, self-winding |
| Power reserve | About 48 hours | About 70 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 metres | 100 metres |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops lens | Sapphire with Cyclops lens |
| Bracelet options | Oyster on most references | Oyster and Jubilee |
| Production status | Discontinued | Current |
Check the reference engraved on any individual watch against Rolex's own Datejust collection page, because dial and bracelet combinations changed from year to year.
How do the cases and lugs differ?
The Datejust II has a broader, more angular case, and the Datejust 41 is more compact in how it wears. The earlier watch has thicker lugs and a heavier bezel, which gives it a sportier, more assertive look and a lot of wrist presence. The newer one tapers the lugs, slims the bezel and trims the hour markers, so the dial looks larger inside a quieter frame. Neither is better in absolute terms. If you like a substantial watch, the Datejust II feels purposeful; if you wear it under a cuff or have a smaller wrist, the Datejust 41 sits more gracefully. Try both before you decide, because the 41 mm number hides how different the two feel.
Calibre 3136 vs calibre 3235: which movement is better?
The calibre 3235 is the better movement on paper, mainly for its longer power reserve and newer technology. It stores about 70 hours against about 48 hours for the calibre 3136, so a Datejust 41 left on a nightstand over a long weekend is still running on Monday. The 3235 also uses the Chronergy escapement, which Rolex says improves efficiency. Both are self-winding Rolex chronometer movements and both are reliable, so the 3136 is not a weak choice. The practical difference is in daily use, not in accuracy you would notice. Servicing for the 3136 remains routine for any watchmaker familiar with Rolex.
Which has better bracelet and dial options?
The Datejust 41 has the wider choice. It is offered on both the Oyster bracelet and the five-piece Jubilee bracelet, with a larger range of dial colours, patterns and metal combinations over its run. The Datejust II was mostly an Oyster bracelet watch with a narrower dial selection, steel or Rolesor. If you want a fluted bezel with a Jubilee bracelet, the classic Datejust look, the newer watch is the straightforward route. The Datejust 41 ref. 126334 with a blue fluted motif dial shows that combination, and the Datejust 41 ref. 126300 with an azzurro blue dial shows the plain smooth-bezel version. These listings illustrate configurations Bizak can seek to source; they are not stock on hand.
How do the references compare: 116300 vs 126300 and 116334 vs 126334?
Compare matching pairs. The 116300 and the 126300 are the smooth-bezel steel watches, and the 116334 and the 126334 are the fluted-bezel steel and white gold watches. Within each pair the layout is the same and the generation is the difference. See the Rolex Datejust 126300 listings and the Rolex Datejust 126334 listings for the current-generation side of each pair, and the wider Rolex Datejust collection for other sizes. A fluted white gold bezel moves the price more than size does, so compare like with like.
Is a pre-owned Datejust II worth buying?
It can be, because the discontinued model usually trades below the current Datejust 41 and still delivers the same core Datejust experience. Buyers choose it for the bolder styling and the value. The trade-offs are the shorter power reserve, the narrower options and, over time, how the market treats a discontinued generation. Buy on condition: the Datejust II's broad lugs and heavy bezel show polishing, so look for crisp edges. Ask for the full set, box and papers, and confirm the serial and reference match. On a Datejust 41, the same checks apply, but you are buying into the model Rolex still makes.
Which should you buy: Datejust 41 or Datejust II?
Buy the Datejust 41 if you want the more refined proportions, the longer power reserve, the Jubilee option and a watch that is still current. Buy the Datejust II if you prefer a bolder case and want to spend less on a pre-owned example. Both are strong, both are 41 mm and both are widely traded, so neither is a mistake. If you are still deciding on size, our Datejust 36 vs 41 comparison covers wrist fit, and the Oyster Perpetual vs Datejust guide explains what the date and fluted bezels add. You can also browse the full Rolex collection.
Quick answers
Is the Datejust 41 the same as the Datejust II?
No. Both are 41 mm, but the Datejust 41 (references 126300 and 126334) replaced the Datejust II (116300 and 116334) with the calibre 3235, slimmer lugs and bezel, and a Jubilee bracelet option.
Which movement does the Datejust II use?
The Datejust II runs the self-winding calibre 3136. The Datejust 41 moved to the calibre 3235, which has a longer power reserve of about 70 hours against roughly 48 hours.
Is the Datejust II a good buy pre-owned?
It can be, because it is discontinued and usually sits below the current Datejust 41 on the secondary market. Condition, polishing and the full set matter more than the model year.
How can I tell a Datejust II from a Datejust 41?
Check the reference on the case and the proportions. A 116xxx reference is a Datejust II with broader lugs and a thicker bezel; a 126xxx reference is the Datejust 41.
Can Bizak source a Datejust II or a Datejust 41?
Yes. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk, not an authorised Rolex retailer: we search for the reference, dial and bracelet you ask for, then confirm the watch, photographs and final price before you commit.
Get your Datejust sourced
Tell us the model, size, dial and bracelet preference, whether you want new or pre-owned, and your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit.
Related reading: Datejust 36 vs 41 · Oyster Perpetual vs Datejust
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