A t its launch in 1956, the Day-Date was a major innovation: it was the first calendar wrist- watch to indicate, in addition to the date, the day of the week spelt out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o’clock on the dial – a technical feat at the time. Made exclusively of precious metals – 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold or 950 platinum – and accompanied by its emblematic President bracelet, its multiple dials make it the ideal canvas for self-expression.
OYSTER PERPETUAL day-DATE 40 40 mm, 950 platinum, fluted bezel, ice blue dial with faceted deconstructed Roman numerals and faceted hour markers in 18 ct white gold, President bracelet, calibre 3255.
THE DAY-DATE SPEAKS ITS WEARER’S LANGUAGE
“DATES AND DAYS ARE ESSENTIAL.” Hans Wilsdorf, 1956
Although the days may be the same wher- ever you are in the world, they are writ- ten differently depending on the lan- guage. Using most writing systems – Latin, Arabic, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Japanese, Chi- nese ideograms and even the Ge’ez alphasylla- bary used in the Horn of Africa – the Day-Date expresses the cultural identity of its wearer. Available in a choice of 26 languages, it is a truly international, universal and personal watch. THE MIRACLE OF MIDNIGHT: AN IDEAL OF PRECISION When midnight strikes, the day and date si- multaneously change in their respective win- dows on the dial. This watchmaking feat, the “miracle of midnight”, relies on a disc mech- anism. It is the fruit of numerous years of re- search: from 1950 to 1955 Rolex registered four patents for timepieces featuring an indication of day and date. Today, the Day-Date is equipped with a new-generation movement, calibre 3255, entire- ly developed and manufactured by Rolex for a superlative level of performance.
THE PRESIDENT BRACELET Created specially for the launch of the presti- gious Oyster Perpetual Day-Date in 1956, the three-piece link President bracelet, made only from 18 ct gold or 950 platinum, is still reserved exclusively for the Day-Date and precious metal versions of the Datejust. A PRECIOUS ALLY Worn by many of the world’s political figures, directors and visionaries, the Day-Date is in- stantly recognizable, in particular thanks to its emblematic President bracelet, whose evoca- tive name, together with the eminent figures who have worn it, ensured the Day-Date be- came known as the “presidents’ watch”. Decades come and go, but the Day- Date remains where it has always been – at the cutting edge of modern- ity. A timepiece of prestige and the fruit of Rolex’s watchmaking expert-ise, the Day-Date
accompanies those personalities who shape the world in their respective disciplines through their commitment, human qualities and cre- ative genius. Among the Rolex Testimonees associated with the Day-Date, the brand celebrates Ameri- can skier Lindsey Vonn, Swiss tennis player Rog- er Federer, American filmmaker Martin Scors- ese and golfers Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
51 | C.D. PEACOCK MAGAZINE
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