Rolex Datejust 4467

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 4467 (Ovettone)

The Rolex Datejust 4467 is the original Datejust, introduced in 1945 to celebrate Rolex's 40th anniversary. Produced exclusively in 18k yellow gold and housed in a 36mm Oyster case, the reference 4467 was the first self-winding, waterproof, chronometer-certified wristwatch to display the date in a window on the dial. Pre-owned examples are rare on the secondary market, and every Rolex 4467 listed by WatchGuys is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers and backed by our 2-year warranty. Collectors know it as the "Ovettone," Italian for "big egg," a nickname earned by the watch's thick, rounded case profile required to accommodate the early automatic rotor movement.

The 4467 occupies a foundational position in Rolex history. It debuted the Jubilee bracelet, designed specifically for the model, and it introduced the date-changing mechanism that would define an entire category of luxury watchmaking for the next 80 years. Browse the full Rolex Datejust collection for every subsequent generation, or read the Rolex Datejust Buyer's Guide for the complete reference history.

Where the Rolex 4467 Fits in the Datejust Line

The reference 4467 is the very first Datejust, predating the dial signature "Datejust" itself (early dials simply read "Oyster Perpetual," with the model name added on later references). It sits at the head of the entire vintage Rolex lineage, ahead of the Rolex Datejust 1601, which arrived in the late 1950s and became the long-running benchmark Datejust reference. As a solid 18k yellow gold piece, the 4467 also belongs in the gold Rolex category, and its 36mm case makes it part of the original 36mm Rolex proportion that has defined the brand for decades. Because the watch debuted the Rolex Jubilee bracelet, it is the historical starting point for one of the most recognized bracelet designs in horology.

Rolex Datejust 4467 Price

The Rolex 4467 trades primarily as a collector piece, and pricing reflects its rarity, condition, dial originality, and provenance. Pre-owned examples generally range from approximately $10,000 to $30,000+, with exceptional condition pieces, original "Ovettone" dials with desirable patina, and watches retaining their original crown, bezel, and bracelet commanding the top of that range. Souscription series examples (the first 100 watches produced, individually numbered between the lugs) and pieces with documented provenance can trade well into five figures and beyond at auction. Pricing varies meaningfully by dial color, with black dial examples in pink gold cases reaching the highest auction results historically.

Rolex 4467 vs. Rolex Datejust 1601

The two references represent very different eras of the Datejust. The 4467 is a four-year production run from 1945 to 1949, built only in 18k yellow gold with the early bubbleback Caliber A295, an acrylic crystal without a Cyclops lens, and a coin-edge bezel. The Rolex Datejust 1601 is the long-running neo-vintage workhorse produced into the late 1970s, available in steel, two-tone, and gold, with the Caliber 1570 and the now-iconic Cyclops magnification lens. The 4467 is the historical grail. The 1601 is the most accessible vintage entry point into the line.

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Why Buy a Rolex 4467 From WatchGuys

Buying a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 4467 for sale is a collector-level decision, and the dealer you choose matters as much as the watch you select. WatchGuys brings over 30 years of Rolex expertise to every vintage transaction, with in-house authentication, transparent listings, and full buyer protection on every piece.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 4467 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 4467?

  The Rolex Datejust 4467 is the original Datejust reference, introduced in 1945 to celebrate Rolex's 40th anniversary. It is the first self-winding, waterproof, chronometer-certified wristwatch to display the date automatically in a window on the dial. Built only in 18k yellow gold with a 36mm Oyster case, a coin-edge bezel, the early Caliber A295 movement, and the debut of the Jubilee bracelet, the 4467 is the foundational piece of the entire Datejust line.

• Why is the Rolex 4467 Called the Ovettone?

  "Ovettone" is Italian for "big egg." Collectors gave the 4467 the nickname because the early automatic rotor movement required a notably thick, rounded case profile that resembled an egg shape on the wrist. The bubbleback case design is part of what makes the reference visually distinctive and instantly recognizable to vintage Rolex collectors today.

• How Much Does a Rolex 4467 Cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 4467 prices typically range from approximately $10,000 to $30,000+ depending on condition, dial originality, case sharpness, and provenance. Souscription series examples (the first 100 produced, numbered between the lugs) and exceptional original-dial pieces have sold for significantly more at major auctions. Pink gold variants and rare black dial examples sit at the top of the market.

• Is the Rolex 4467 the First Datejust?

  Yes. The reference 4467 is the first Datejust ever produced. Launched in 1945, it introduced the date-display complication that gave the model line its name and set the design template for every Datejust that followed. Early 4467 dials do not actually say "Datejust" on the face, which is why some collectors also call this reference the "Pre-Datejust." Dial signing was standardized on later references.

• How Rare Is the Rolex 4467?

  The 4467 is genuinely rare. It was produced for only four years, from approximately 1945 to 1949, in limited quantities and exclusively in 18k yellow gold (with a very small number of pink gold examples). The Souscription series, the first 100 examples sold by subscription through an advertisement in the newspaper La Suisse, is particularly scarce, with only a handful of confirmed examples appearing on the public market. Winston Churchill is among the historical owners on record.

• What Movement Does the Rolex 4467 Use?

  The Rolex 4467 is powered by the Caliber A295, an early Rolex automatic chronometer movement from the bubbleback family. The rotor design of the era required a thick case to accommodate the movement, which is why the 4467 wears with the distinctive "Ovettone" profile. The movement is chronometer-certified, in keeping with Rolex's commitment to precision that defined the brand even in the 1940s.

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