Apr 15, 2020
Updated: May 1, 2020
The watch of prestige. A world first when launched in 1956, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is the first self-winding, waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the day – spelt out in full in a window on the dial – in addition to the date. The Day-Date 40 in 18ct yellow gold features a white dial with faceted Roman numerals, the signature fluted bezel, and is fitted with the three-piece link President bracelet. It is equipped with new-generation calibre 3255, at the forefront of watchmaking technology.
By operating its own exclusive foundry, Rolex has the unrivalled ability to cast the highest quality 18 ct gold alloys. According to the proportion of silver, copper, platinum or palladium added, different types of 18 ct gold are obtained: yellow, pink or white. They are made with only the purest metals and meticulously inspected in an in-house laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, before the gold is formed and shaped with the same painstaking attention to quality. Rolex's commitment to excellence begins at the source.
The Rolex fluted bezel is a mark of distinction. Originally, the fluting of the Oyster bezel had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. It was therefore identical to the fluting on the case back, which was also screwed onto the case for waterproofness, using specific Rolex tools. Over time, the fluting became an aesthetic element, a genuine Rolex signature feature. Today the fluted bezel is a mark of distinction, always in gold.
The design, development and production of Rolex bracelets and clasps, as well as the stringent tests they face, involve advanced high technology. And, as with all the components of the watch, aesthetic controls by the human eye guarantee impeccable beauty. The President bracelet, with its semi-circular three piece links, was created in 1956 for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. It represents the ultimate in refinement and comfort and is always made of carefully selected precious metals.
Initially presented in 1956, the Day-Date was a world first. The first watch to indicate the day of the week spelt out in full. Worn by many world leaders, the Day-Date is available with a bespoke day display in a wide choice of languages.
The Cyclops lens is one of the most distinctive Rolex features, and one of the most recognizable. Named after the one-eyed giant of Greek mythology, the Cyclops lens magnifies the watch’s emblematic date display two and a half times for easy reading. Behind the Cyclops, as with every feature of a Rolex timepiece, lies a history of invention, research and development, and the endless search for perfection.
The Day-Date 36 is equipped with a new-generation movement, calibre 3255, entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex for a superlative level of performance. This self-winding mechanical movement is at the forefront of the art of watchmaking. A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, with 14 patents, it offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetism, ease of use and reliability.
MODEL CASE
Oyster, 36 mm, yellow gold
OYSTER ARCHITECTURE
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
DIAMETER
36 mm
MATERIAL
18 ct yellow 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
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
President, semi-circular three-piece links
BRACELET MATERIAL
18 ct yellow gold
CLASP
Concealed folding Crownclasp
DIAL
Green ombré set with diamonds
GEM SETTING
Diamonds in 18 ct gold settings and baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o'clock
CERTIFICATION
Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)