Worn over time by political figures, leaders and visionaries around the world, the Day-Date is immediately recognizable on the wrist, thanks in particular to its emblematic President bracelet. A predestined name which, combined with the stature of the personalities who wore it, earned the Day-Date the nickname of the “watch for presidents”.
The Oyster case of these new Day-Date 36, with a diameter of 36 mm (the size which remains ideal for purists), is guaranteed waterproof up to 100 meters deep. The caseband is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold. The bottom, lined with fine grooves, is screwed in using a special tool; only watchmakers authorized by Rolex can thus access the movement.
The Twinlock winding crown, equipped with a double waterproofness system, is screwed securely onto the case. As for the crystal, surmounted by the Cyclops magnifying glass at 3 o’clock, it is in practically scratch-proof sapphire (except with a diamond) and benefits from an anti-reflective treatment.
The new versions of the Day-Date 36 are equipped with caliber 3255, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, unveiled in 2015 and introduced on the model in 2019. This caliber incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, made of nickel-phosphorus and resistant to high magnetic fields.
This movement also includes a blue Parachrom hairspring, produced by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. This hairspring also has great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is also equipped with a Rolex terminal curve, which ensures the regularity of the rate in all positions.
The oscillator is mounted on high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, developed by the brand and patented, which give the movement increased resistance to shocks. As for the oscillating weight, it is now equipped with an optimized ball bearing. Thanks to the architecture of its barrel and the superior performance of its escapement, this “engine” has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
The President bracelet was unveiled in 1956 for the first time when this prestigious watch was launched. Equipped with three links, it has always been fashioned exclusively in gold or platinum. It is still today reserved for the Day-Date as well as the Datejust in precious metal.
This President bracelet is fitted with an invisible Crownclasp folding clasp and incorporates ceramic inserts – designed by Rolex and patented – inside its links, which improve its fluidity to wear and its longevity. This prevents, in particular, that it relaxes. One of the weak points found on vintage President bracelets.
Like all Rolex watches, these Day-Dates benefit from the Superlative Chronometer certification, redefined by Rolex in 2015. This title certifies that each watch that leaves the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria, following the official certification of its movement by the COSC.
Internal certification tests cover the watch as a whole, once the movement is cased, so that its superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, water resistance, automatic winding and autonomy is guaranteed.
The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is thus of the order of –2/+2 seconds per day – the variation in rate tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is much lower than that admitted by the COSC for certification official of the only movement.
The status of Superlative Chronometer is symbolized by the green seal with which each Rolex watch is associated and is accompanied by a five-year international guarantee.
