The Brief History of the Rolex Day-Date
When I first moved to New York back in 2015, I didn't know anything about luxury watches. My interest in luxury timepieces didn't happen until I began working at Patron of The New. Store Owner, Buyer, and my good friend, Jonathan Pak has a penance for luxury timepieces and has amassed a nice collection over the years. The first watch that I can remember Jonathan wearing every day was his Rolex Day-Date (Presidential) in 18k Yellow Gold with matching dial and laser-cut diamond time markers. At the time the only other person that we knew who had the same watch was none other than Kanye West. This was my first introduction to luxury watches and it was Jonathan's Day-Date that inspired me to take an interest in horology.
In 1956, Rolex presented The Day-Date as its new flagship watch. Featuring a similar case design as Rolex's famous Date-Just watch, the new model featured the Day and Date Window inside the Dial. The Day-Date also was given an exclusive bracelet, which is a perfect hybrid of the Oyster & Jubilee bracelets. Like cars, watches receive new models over the years in the form of reference numbers. Reference numbers identify the model, year of production, materials used, and movement. While there are many variations of the Rolex Day-Date watches out there, the most popular models typically are equipped with a 36 mm case in 18K Gold with matching bracelet and a champaign dial.
Over the years, Rolex used the Day-Date as their premiere watch in advertising campaigns and client acquisitions. The watch earned the name "Presidential" through its relationship with U.S presidents such as LBJ, who was frequently photographed wearing his Day-Date during his presidency. Not only did the Day-Date end up being the choice watch of world leaders but that of sports icons, musicians, and movie stars.
In 2016, Rolex celebrated its 60th anniversary of the Day-Date with a 40 mm version in everose gold, yellow gold, and white gold. The watch features a beautiful sunburst green dial with roman numerals and has become one of the more sought after Day-Dates on the market. Retailing at a hefty $39,250, this watch is not for just any novice collector.
In summary, the Day-Date is one of the single most iconic watches in the world of horology. It has a rich tradition and is the cornerstone timepiece for any watch collector. While newer models can be quite expensive, vintage models bode a much more accessible price point. For those interested in collecting or investing in a luxury timepiece, the Day-Date should be at the top of your list.