Everything You Need to Discover About the Rolex Day-Date

The Rolex Day-Date is known as the “Presidential” watch. Since its introduction in 1956, this emblematic timepiece has been the choice of dignitaries, celebrities, and U.S. Presidents, reflecting its association with power and prestige. Renowned for its distinctive features, such as the dial’s day and date apertures and signature three-link bracelet, the Rolex Day-Date has cemented its status as a symbol of success.

This revered watch has captured the imaginations of collectors from various backgrounds, thanks to its extensive production history that spans several decades and encompasses numerous models. The Day-Date collection has been enriched yet followed its foundational design principles. 

The inception of the Rolex Day-Date marked a significant milestone in watchmaking, with the 6510 and 6511 models pioneering the inclusion of a date and day display fully spelled out on the dial. These inaugural models also introduced the world to the President bracelet, a feature that would become synonymous with the Day-Date. 

The journey of the Day-Date collection from its early days to the present has been characterized by continuous innovation and the introduction of various models, each contributing to the legacy of this iconic timepiece.

Evolution of the Rolex Day-Date: Key Models and Milestones

  • 1956: The Day-Date debuts, introducing models 6510 and 6511 with the President bracelet, fluted bezel, and the groundbreaking feature of spelling out the day and date.
  • 1959: The 180x Series emerges, featuring calibers 1555 and later 1556, marking the beginning of a new era in the Day-Date’s history.
  • 1977: The introduction of the 180xx Series with caliber 3055 and the OysterQuartz Series with calibers 5055 and later 5355 showcased Rolex’s adaptability to technological advancements.
  • 1988: The 182xx Series is launched, equipped with caliber 3155, introducing the Double Quickset feature and enhancing functionality.
  • 2000: The 118xxx Series continues the legacy with the same caliber 3155, maintaining the collection’s excellence.
  • 2008: The Day-Date II is unveiled with a more significant 41mm case and caliber 3156, reflecting contemporary style preferences.
  • 2015: The Day-Date 40 is introduced with caliber 3255, setting a new standard for precision and reliability in the collection.
  • 2019: The Day-Date 1282xx Series debuts, continuing the evolution of the Day-Date with the advanced caliber 3255.
  • 2023: The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 collection introduces three new models of aventurine dial (ref. 128345RBR-0068). All versions are embellished with diamond-set hour markers and 52 brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel. In an unprecedented move, Rolex has also released three Day-Date 36 watches in yellow, white, and Everose gold, featuring jigsaw puzzle dials. These watches include day wheels with the words Happy, Eternity, Gratitude, Peace, Faith, Love, and Hope, alongside a date wheel adorned with 31 emojis. This whimsical design prioritizes joy over traditional timekeeping.

2024 Models Available for Sale from Rolex AD

The Rolex Day-Date is available from Rolex in two different case sizes: 36mm and 40mm. When choosing between the 36mm or 40mm case size, buyers can select from four different materials: yellow, white, Everose gold, or Platinum. Additionally, for the same case size, there are options for the type of bezel: fluted or diamond-set.

Mint Unpolished Rolex DayDate President 40mm Platinum Blue Quadrant Roman 228206

There is a wide variety of dials, especially when selecting platinum materials in a 40mm case with a fluted bezel, where the price ranges from $63,300 to $86,400 MSRP.

  • Black 
  • Slate
  • Bright Blue
  • Ice-blue
  • Olive Green
  • White
  • Bright black set with diamonds
  • Ice Blue set with diamonds
  • Silver set with diamonds.
  • Meteorite set with diamonds
  • Paved with diamonds and sapphires
2022 Rolex Day-Date Olive Green President Rose Everose Gold Full set! 228235

When choosing the Everose gold Day-Date 40, the MSRP starts at $41,500, and there are different dials to choose from as well

  • Chocolate 
  • Olive Green
  • Sundust
  • White
  • Eisenkiesel set with diamonds (a deep brown decorative stone first used by the brand in 2021)
  • Chocolate set with diamonds
  • Sundust set with diamonds
  • Diamond-paved

When it comes to choosing the dial for 36mm Rolex Day-Date with the fluted bezel, here are the options for Platinum, where the prices start from $58,900 to $89,700

  • Ice Blue
  • Silver
  • White
  • Blue ombré dial set with diamonds
  • Ice blue set with diamonds
  • White mother-of-pearl set with diamonds
  • Pink opal set with diamonds
  • Turquoise set with diamonds
  • Diamond – paved

When it comes to choosing the dial for 36mm Rolex Day-Date with the fluted bezel, here are the options for Everose gold, where the prices start from $37,900 to $68,700

  • White
  • Slate set with diamonds
  • Brown ombré dial set with diamonds
  • Rose0colour set with diamonds
  • White mother-of-pearl set with diamonds
  • Eisenkiesel set with diamonds
  • Turquoise set with diamonds
  • Green aventurine set with diamonds
  • Diamond-paved

Rolex Day-Date Technical Details

Reference: 228235

Model Case:

  • Type: Oyster, 40 mm, Everose gold
  • Architecture: Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back, and winding crown
  • Diameter: 40 mm
  • Material: 18 kt Everose gold
  • Bezel: Fluted
  • Winding Crown: Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system
  • Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date
  • Water Resistance: Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Movement:

  • Type: Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding
  • Calibre: 3255, Manufacture Rolex
  • Precision: -2/+2 sec/day after casing
  • Functions: Centre hour, minute, and seconds hands. Instantaneous day and date in apertures, unrestricted rapid-setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting
  • Oscillator: Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
  • Winding: Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
  • Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours

Bracelet:

  • Type: President, semi-circular three-piece links
  • Material: 18 kt Everose gold
  • Clasp: Concealed folding Crownclasp

Certification:

  • Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Should you invest in 36mm or 40mm?

Purchasing the 40mm model is a better choice because women also wear 40mm, which offers the seller a larger pool of potential buyers. The key to investing is selecting a watch that is harder to obtain. For instance, a Rolex Day-Date in Platinum with an ice blue dial will command a higher premium than a Rolex Day-Date in white gold with a white dial. The rarity and difficulty in purchasing a Rolex Day-Date drive its demand higher, along with its price on the secondary market. Over recent years, these watches, especially those crafted in Platinum with rare color dials, have consistently sold for prices above their original MSRP.

Rolex President Day-Date 18038 36mm 18K Yellow Gold Black Pyramid Dial

Did you know that the month wheel can be in different languages? 

Unique and universal, the Day-Date speaks its wearer’s language. Although the days may be the same wherever you are, they are written differently depending on the language. Utilizing most writing systems – Latin, Arabic, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Japanese, Chinese ideograms, and even the Ge’ez alphasyllabary used in the Horn of Africa – the Day-Date expresses the cultural identity of its wearer. It is a truly international, universal, and personal watch.

Which Rolex Day-Date is the best one to choose?

This can only be answered by the buyer. Like anything in life, people have different tastes and likes. If a person wants to purchase a watch that will be appreciated, they might care about something other than the look, focusing solely on the potential return on their investment. However, if the person wants to wear the watch, they should like its appearance and how it feels on their wrist, or spending over $40,000 on a Rolex Day-Date could become slightly painful.

In Conclusion

The Rolex Day-Date is more than just a luxury watch for many people; it’s a wise investment and a personal statement. The choice between models and materials reflects individual tastes and investment goals, with rare versions promising potential appreciation in value. However, beyond its financial appeal, the Day-Date is about personal enjoyment and style. Whether for its potential to increase in value or its unparalleled craftsmanship, owning a Rolex Day-Date is an investment in quality and personal legacy. Simply put, it offers the perfect blend of financial wisdom and personal satisfaction, making it a timeless choice for watch enthusiasts and investors.

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