Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date

Flagship. The flagship of Rolex's line-up is the Day-Date. Essentially, the Day-Date is a Datejust with the day displayed at the 12 o'clock of the watch. Part of what makes it the flagship of the Rolex line-up is the decision to make this watch available only in precious metals: either 18k gold or platinum, hence, even heavily discounted, the price of entry is about US$20,000. The most expensive samples of the Day-Date can cost more than ten times that.

The other, and more important, reason is that the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is the flagship of the line, is that historically, it is a culmination of Rolex watchmaking prowess. In 1926, Rolex developed and patented the first airtight, dustproof and waterproof watch and names it the Oyster. In 1931 Rolex invented and Patented the perpetual rotor, or the automatic as more commonly known. Perpetual is Rolex speak for a self-winding watch. In 1945, Rolex creates the first watch with a date display on its face. In 1956, Rolex created and patented the system of displaying day on the dial of the watch. The Day-Date is the culmination of all the Rolex advances in watchmaking in the first half of the 20th century.

President. The Day-Date is often called the President. It came to be known as the “President” when Rolex gave a Day-Date's to President Eisenhower to celebrate his re-election in 1956, this model featured a new bracelet and the which came to be known as the “President." The Day-Date can also be ordered with a Oyster bracelet, but the Presidents bracelet is exclusive to this model.

Masterpiece. The Day-Date has a 36mm case diameter, but 39mm versions with jewels adorning their bezels have come to be known as the "Masterpiece." The masterpiece comes with a Tridor Oyster bracelet unique to this model.

Rolex has also announced the imminent release of the Day-Date II, a Day-Date in 41mm. Rolex's way of making this watch more of a contemporary choice.

Specifications. The Day-Date is powered by a Rolex 3155 movement which produces the expected 28,800 vibrations per hour and the smooth sweep of the seconds hand. The date is displayed in the 3 o'clock position under a magnifying 2.5X "cyclops" lens. It has a fifty hour power reserve, and the case is water resistant to 100 meters.


Like the Datejust is available in a variety of models, with white, yellow and rose gold options. It also has a platinum versions available. The day display is available in 26 different languages. Stick markers, arabic numerals, roman numerals or diamonds and bagets adorn the dial.

The Day-Date represents Rolex's first fifty years of existence, in the same way that the Rolex Submariner, and its brother the Sea-Dweller, represent the pinacle of Rolex's development in the second fifty years of its existence. It's price, will keep it out of many peoples collections. Isn't it is always good to have something to aspire for?

About Rolex. Rolex SA is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches and accessories founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand by far, producing over 2000 watches per day. Rolex is the best known and most sought after watch brand in the world.