Rolex Day-Date II - The Historical Evolution | Bob's Watches
The Rolex Day-Date became famous in 1956 for becoming the first wristwatch to feature the date and the day of the week spelled out in full through windows in the dial. Also known as the Rolex President watch, the Day-Date has only ever been manufactured in precious metals, just like the Rolex Day-Date II watch, which was released in 2008 boasting a larger 41mm case than its 36mm predecessor.
The Rolex Day-Date II incorporated all the popular design elements associated with the original Day-Date model. That was, until 2015 when the Day-Date 40 launched, replacing the Day-Date II and powered by a whole new movement encased inside a slimmer profile. Day-Date II watches are characterized by their semicircular, three-piece link President bracelets.
Despite the different case sizes from the original 36mm - the 41mm second-generation models and the newer 40mm version - all Rolex Day-Date models have retained the desirable features that first made it such a well-loved classic. The Rolex Day-Date II is available in 18ct yellow gold, 18ct white gold, 18ct Everose, and 950 platinum. Some variations are adorned in scintillating diamonds for a more lavish finish.
One of the distinct features of the Rolex Day-Date II is its fluted bezel, seen exclusively on the gold versions as opposed to the platinum models, which feature smooth bezels (except for diamond platinum models). Rolex Day-Date II watches are manufactured from the brand’s exclusive waterproof Oyster case construction. They’re equipped with 100-meter water resistance, a hermetically screwed caseback, and Twinlock double waterproof technology built into their screwed-down winding crowns.
Compared to the dial options for the original Rolex Day-Date series, Day-Date II watches are more limited, foregoing the exotic dial options that the original 36mm range offered in the past. That said, there are different colored dials, a choice between Arabic/Roman/stick hour tracks, and gem-set variations to choose from, along with a variety of different surface finishes. The Rolex Day-Date 40 models boast dial textures achieved through a unique laser-etching process. These criss-cross, striped, and quadrant-effect dials are a particularly fetching feature of the watches from the 40mm range.
Despite the Rolex Day-Date having been equipped with both mechanical and quartz movements throughout history, the Rolex Day-Date II and Day-Date 40 have only ever contained mechanical self-winding chronometer movements only. The first in-house movement to power the Day-Date II was the Caliber 3156, performing very similarly to the Caliber 3155 of the 36mm Rolex Day-Date line, but with better shock-resistance and anti-magnetic properties.
The Rolex Day-Date 40 came equipped with the new generation Caliber 3255 movement, complete with a total of 14 patents, and (of course) was chronometer-certified to both COSC specifications and Rolex’s own, more-stringent ‘Superlative Chronometer’ standards. With greater mechanical efficiency, the Caliber 3255 illustrated the evolution of Rolex’s cutting-edge development of the traditional mechanical watch movement.
Current models from the Rolex Day-Date collection retail at $36,550 for the 18ct yellow gold fluted bezel version. For around $3000 more you can purchase the model in 18k Everose of white gold, which both sell for the same price at retail. Pre-owned Rolex Day-Date 40 and Day-Date II 41mm watches sell for around $30,000 and are significantly more expensive than pre-owned 36mm Day-Date versions, which are more readily available on the second-hand market.
Composed exclusively of the finest precious metals and featuring a practical double calendar function, the Rolex Day-Date II and Day-Date 40 watches will always signify an important milestone for Rolex, not to mention its association with presidents and cultural figures. The Rolex Day-Date II is a timepiece of distinction built from traditional values but with a design that takes the Rolex legacy into the future, as the larger and bolder version of the world’s most iconic gold watch.
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