Bustdown diamond watches have been a hot trend for around three decades now. The bustdown trend has evolved over time, with settings becoming more and more complex. Gem-setters have mastered the art of setting as many diamonds into a luxury watch as possible, as to make for a look that is fully iced out, or fully flooded as some like to call it. And while busting down watches is a widespread practice nowadays, not all watches get the honor of being bust down, drilled, and then filled with diamonds.

The most popular watches to customize with diamonds are, of course, the world’s most iconic luxury timepieces (we are sure some watch purists are pulling their hair right now out just thinking about it). From the Rolex Day-Date to the AP Royal Oak to the Patek Philippe Nautilus, all the most coveted luxury watches are having their time to shine thanks to aftermarket diamond customizations, but none more so than the Rolex Datejust. The Rolex Datejust has always been in the bustdown limelight.

An iced out Datejust is a staple in all bustdown-friendly watch boxes. The dressy nature and iconic status of the Datejust collection make it an easy choice for people who love diamonds. It’s loud, yet because of the style of the Datejust, it remains classy and elegant, and it never feels over the top or out of place, as some people may feel bustdown settings do on certain luxury sports watches.

Because we love fully flooded diamond watches at Diamonds By Raymond Lee in Boca Raton, especially ones of the Datejust variety, we thought we would present to you some of the stunning bustdown Datejusts that we have for sale.

So, without further ado, put your diamond hats on. We are about to begin…

ROLEX DATEJUST

The Datejust is one of Rolex’s most popular collections and among the planet’s most iconic watches. It was unveiled to the world on the 40th anniversary of Rolex back in 1945. It had one complication – the automatically changing date window at the 3 o’clock. Nowadays, this complication is all but expected. However, back then, it was a game changer. The Datejust was the first wristwatch ever whose date would automatically change, in an instant, exactly at midnight. As such, the date will be just, all the time.

The Datejust is characterized by its waterproof Oyster case, fluted bezel, clean dial, and, of course, its date window. It has been a watch of many “firsts”. Not only was it the first watch to receive a date window, but it was also the first watch to have a Jubilee bracelet (named ‘Jubilee’ because it was their anniversary).

Additionally, the Datejust brought about the invention of the cyclops eye. This was a way to magnify the date window by two and a half times, for easier reading. Now, it is a signature element of all Rolex watches with date windows.

Throughout the history of the Datejust, the style has remained mostly unchanged. However, Rolex has experimented with case sizes and other features, such as two-tone metal (first Rolesor was a Datejust!), the Oyster bracelet, and the smooth bezel. Not to mention, diamonds…

While the Datejust is one of the few collections that Rolex sets diamonds in, being that it is a dress watch, the diamond settings are typically subtle on Datejust watches. We are talking about diamond indices, dials, and/or diamond bezels. Nothing too over the top.

That said, due to the immense popularity of the Rolex Datejust among popular culture, the Datejust has always been a watch that people want to customize with diamonds, which is why you see completely iced out Datejusts. These are aftermarket diamond settings, which contemporary watch enthusiasts have come to call, “bustdown watches”.

WHAT IS A BUSTDOWN DATEJUST?

A bustdown Datejust is a Rolex Datejust that has aftermarket diamonds added to it. The term “bustdown” refers to the watch being busted down (taken apart) so that each piece can be fitted with diamonds. Gem-setters use hi-tech machinery to drill tiny holes in the metal with absolute exactness. From there, diamonds are meticulously set and secured with tiny prongs or tension and channel settings.

Typically speaking, when a diamond customization is referred to as “bustdown”, it is fully covered in diamonds…or at least the majority of the watch is.

Bustdown Datejust watches usually have diamonds covering the entire case, bracelet, clasp, bezel and dial. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be fully flooded with diamonds. Any part of the watch can have diamonds set into it, so designs vary.

The process of creating a bustdown Datejust is extremely difficult and it requires incredibly dexterous workmanship. Only seasoned, highly skilled gem-setters should be doing this kind of work. After all, a Rolex Datejust is an expensive and valuable timepiece. It would be disgraceful and devastating to mar such an exquisite watch. But, if it is done right, it’s like a work of art that even traditionalists should appreciate.

FACTORY VS CUSTOM DIAMOND SETTINGS

A factory-set diamond Datejust means that the diamonds were set by Rolex.

A custom “bustdown” setting is done by an independent jeweler. The diamonds are called “aftermarket” because they were not cut and set by the original manufacturer. This would be Rolex in the case of a Datejust.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both, so let’s quickly go over them…

Advantages & Disadvantages of a Factory Diamond Setting

The main advantage of a factory set Rolex Datejust is that you can be absolutely sure the diamonds and the setting are of the highest quality and standard. Everything Rolex touches is perfection.

The disadvantages are that you are paying a huge premium for Rolex’s diamonds and craftsmanship and you are limited to their design, which are often quite subtle, albeit elegant. You won’t be able to get a fully iced out Rolex Datejust because Rolex simply doesn’t do that with this collection.

Advantages & Disadvantages of a Custom Diamond Setting

The advantage of doing a custom diamond setting is you can get a diamond Rolex Datejust for significantly less money. Oftentimes with a lot more diamonds. Moreover, you have many more design options to choose from. You can set diamonds into any part of the watch. You can choose pave, micro-pave, honeycomb or row settings. And you can choose from all different kinds of gemstones and shapes, like round brilliants, baguettes, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and the list goes on. Any idea is possible.

There are of course some notable disadvantages too. You have to pay extra attention to the setting to make sure it was done well. Not to mention, the quality and authenticity of the diamonds.

If you aren’t buying an existing bustdown Rolex Datejust, then you run the risk of ruining your watch. This is why it is imperative that you choose a trusted professional with many years of experience, like Diamonds By Raymond Lee in Boca Raton. Lastly, you need to be aware that you may be impacting the value of the watch by customizing it, as Rolex collectors put greater value on watches in their original state, especially highly collectible models.

BUSTDOWN DATEJUST VALUE & PRICE

Adding aftermarket diamonds to a Rolex can decrease the value of the watch itself. We all know that. However, the good thing about Datejust watches is they are not like certain Rolex sports watches that collectors pay very high premiums for. Where some Rolex sports watches can sell for more on the secondary market than they did when new, modern Datejust watches will almost always sell for less. Datejusts, of course, maintain value incredibly well, but they are not appreciating assets like the holy grails in the Rolex collector’s world.

The point is, adding diamonds to a watch like the highly collectible steel Daytona will undoubtedly devalue the watch, even with the added intrinsic value of the diamonds. Not to mention, collectors will certainly scoff at this kind of practice.

However, with Datejusts, the added intrinsic value of the diamonds will increase the value of the watch (so long as the setting and quality of the diamonds are good) because there is no such premium on Datejust watches. Of course, if it is a vintage Datejust this is not the case, because then you’d be messing with a watch that has immense value for being in its original state.

Benefits of Buying Existing Bustdown Rolex Datejust Watches

While buying a plain Datejust then customizing it with diamonds is less expensive than buying a factory-set diamond Datejust, you can save even more money for the fully iced out look that you want by purchasing an existing bustdown Datejust on the secondary market.

Buying an already-made bustdown Rolex Datejust makes the most sense for those who want a fully flooded diamond Datejust at the absolute best price. What’s great is the practice of busting down Datejust watches is so common that you will have tons of options to choose from, as you can already see in this post.

Have a look at some of the Bustdown Rolex Datejusts for sale at Diamonds By Raymond Lee below to see if buying a pre-owned bustdown diamond Datejust is right for you. It should be noted that pictures only do a small amount of justice for these watches. The light performance in person is unreal. These watches are absolutely breathtaking. A diamond Datejust might not be for everyone, but no one can deny the beauty on the wrist. It’s a very attractive look for those who aren’t afraid of a little attention.

Note: We have a state-of-the-art diamond testing machine at Diamonds By Raymond Lee, so you can be sure that all of the diamonds in these bustdown Rolex watches are genuine and high grade.

12 BUSTDOWN DATEJUST WATCHES FOR SALE IN BOCA RATON AT DIAMONDS BY RAYMOND LEE

1. Rolex 116201 Datejust Two Tone 12.49ctw Diamond Pave Watch

2. Iced Out Rolex 116233 Datejust Two Tone 12.61ctw Diamond Pave Watch

3. Rolex 126300 Datejust All Diamond Jubilee Watch

4. Rolex 116234 Datejust Stainless Steel 12.99ctw Diamond Pave Watch

5. Rolex 16030 Datejust Diamond Pave Diamond Black Roman Dial Watch

6. Iced Out Rolex 126334 Datejust Diamond Pave Diamond Blue Roman Dial Watch

7. Rolex 126303 Datejust Diamond Pave Two Tone 41mm Watch

8. Iced Out Rolex Datejust Two Tone 36mm Diamond Wrist Watch

9. Rolex 116300 Datejust II 20ctw Diamond Pave Roman Dial Stainless Steel Watch

10. Rolex 116334 Datejust II 20ctw Diamond Pave Arabic Dial Stainless Steel Watch

11. Rolex 116334 Datejust II Black Roman Diamond Dial Pave Watch

12. Iced Out Rolex 116334 Datejust Stainless Steel All Diamond Pave Watch

WANT TO CUSTOMIZE A DATEJUST WITH DIAMONDS?

If these bustdown Rolex Datejusts don’t speak to you but you know you want an iced out Datejust, or you already have a Datejust that you want to customize, contact us with your idea and we will give you an estimate on the cost. We can do nearly any diamond setting imaginable. We have high-quality loose gemstones and the best master gem-setter in South Florida. The entire diamond customization process from A-Z is done in-house at our state-of-the-art workshop, which is within our showroom in Boca Raton.

Note: We can even create custom pieces from scratch so you can keep your original parts untouched in case you want to resell the watch later down the line. Check out this custom diamond bezel we made from scratch!

Want to see more bustdown watches? Check out some more bustdown watches at Diamonds By Raymond Lee:

Ice Age of Watches

Iced Out Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe Watches

The diverse range of diamond Datejust watches

First Ever Fully Iced Out Rolex Sky-Dweller in White Gold

Flooded Diamond AP Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad