Rolex Presidential

There are watches that have a charisma that leaves no doubt that they are classy, ​​incredibly expensive and downright iconic luxury watches. The Rolex Day-Date is definitely one of them. It is not for nothing that this watch has the meaningful nickname Rolex President . In this article, we delve into the history of the "Presidential Watch" and take a close look at what makes such a Day-Date wristwatch so charming.

Meaning and prestige of the name "Presidential"

What does a watch need to become known as a presidential watch? Well, in addition to the first-class quality that Rolex is known for, in the case of the Day-Date it is probably its design that makes it the symbol of a president's watch. The most characteristic element is the "President Bracelet", a special bracelet that was developed especially for the Day-Date. The filigree, classic gold band fits elegantly around the wrist and looks extremely decorative thanks to its three-row structure.

The Rolex Day-Date owes its fame as a presidential watch to a considerable extent to the famous people who are said to have owned this particular model. A striking number of the famous Rolex wearers were high-ranking politicians, including presidents. Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy - they are all said to have liked this particular Rolex model in the past. What other watch can say that?

The origins of the Day-Date model

The Rolex Day-Date, which is still an integral part of the Swiss watch brand's range, was released in 1956 and has developed over the years and decades into one of the most popular watches from Rolex. How did it manage that? It hit the nerve of the times. While other manufacturers concentrated on producing watches with a full calendar - or without a calendar function at all - the Rolex President filled a gap in the market with its unusual date display.

Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, was concerned with the question of how to combine the complexity of a calendar with the robustness of a waterproof watch. The result was the Day-Date - a watch model in a solid Oyster case that attracts everyone's attention with its unusual calendar.

Unlike many watches we know today, the Rolex President is not limited to a date display in the form of a small, two-digit field. On the contrary: At the very top of the President's dial, the day of the week is written out in full in a semicircle - a real rarity. To create enough space for this extravagant highlight, the Rolex crown was even moved a little downwards, away from its usual position.

The classic appearance of the Day-Date

Of course, the date display is by no means the only thing worth mentioning about the Rolex President. Even if the viewer's eye is certainly drawn to the unusually placed date at first, numerous other details will arouse the interest of every watch lover at second glance.

The classic Rolex President has a diameter of 36 millimeters, while the modern Day-Date measures 40 or 41 millimeters in diameter. Rolex decided to use only precious metals for this high-end model. The Day-Dates are therefore available in platinum, white gold and yellow gold as well as rose gold - the so-called Everose gold. To date, only six President watches made of precious metal exist, making them some of the rarest vintage Rolex models.

The Rolex President is now available in a wide range of different designs, including models with Roman indices or set diamonds. The watches come with a blue, mother-of-pearl, gold or white dial, for example, which is harmoniously framed by the elegant bezel.

While the Rolex watch is optionally available with an Oyster bracelet, the aforementioned President Bracelet is considered the trademark of the Presidential watch. Many connoisseurs are of the opinion that the President Bracelet is what makes the Day-Dates a Presidential Watch.

The Day-Date as a status symbol

As a watch that has been worn by numerous presidents - be it John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower or Lyndon B. Johnson - the Rolex Day-Date naturally has an image as a status symbol of the highest order. There is no doubt about it: anyone who appears in public with these elegant models on their arm has not only demonstrated a well-filled wallet, but also a sense of style and a good eye for choosing their timepieces.

All versions of the Day-Date, including the Day-Date II, which was replaced by the Day-Date 40 in 2015, are also known as the "Leader's Watch". A nickname that perfectly expresses the aura of power, success and strength that the watch exudes. It's perfect for a watch that the most powerful men in the world have chosen.

Technical features of the Rolex Presidential

As you would expect from Rolex, the President's Watch not only shines with its external features, but also with its inner values. At the heart of the wristwatch ticks a caliber 3255, a powerful Rolex movement that guarantees the highest precision. With a 70-hour power reserve and a daily rate deviation of only around two seconds, the caliber, which has been in use since 2015, impresses with its absolute reliability.

The vintage models of the President Watch originally had the automatic movement 1055, which made the introduction of the much-mentioned weekday disc possible. This was replaced in 1957 by the optimized caliber 1055 B and around 15 years later by the caliber 1556 with balance stop. Another innovation did not arrive until 1983: At that time, the caliber 2135 was introduced, which has a half-pulled crown to make it easier to correct the calendar.

The Rolex President has come a long way to its current centerpiece, the caliber 3255. What is remarkable is that none of the innovations has ever had a really negative effect on the reputation of the uniquely fascinating Rolex watch. Starting with the first, very original model, the story of the groundbreaking success of the watches with the President bracelet has continued uninterrupted up to the present day.

The Rolex Presidential in Pop Culture

Rolex's enormous influence on pop culture cannot be denied: Worn by presidents, TV heroes and superstars, Rolex watches have become firmly established in people's minds over time as a symbol of wealth, success and elegance. The company has succeeded in establishing its name as a representative of prosperity and luxury across generations.

As a pop culture phenomenon, Rolex is notable for the numerous affectionate nicknames given to its watches, which are known to watch fans around the world. The Rolex President is just one example, and the GMT-Master 6542 ("Pussy Galore"), the Daytona 6239 (" Paul Newman ") or the Submariner 16610LV ("Kermit") could just as easily be named.

The choice of the Rolex Presidential

If you want to add this icon from Rolex to your collection, it goes without saying that this should not be done without careful consideration, given the high price . Rather, it is advisable to take enough time in advance to find out about the different model variants of the Rolex Day-Date.

Tips and considerations when buying a Day-Date watch

It is well known that buying a Rolex watch from a specialist retailer can involve waiting times. The reason: demand for popular models far exceeds supply. In the case of the Rolex President, however, the estimated waiting time is quite pleasantly short. You wait an average of 18 months for a Day-Date 40, and with a bit of luck you can have the 36-millimeter version in your hands after an average of 9 months.

If you want to avoid the wait altogether, buying on the secondary market is a good option. Here, the Rolex President is available immediately, but is usually offered above the list price. When buying on the secondary market in particular, it is important to check the authenticity of the watch and to find out exactly what the condition of the particular piece is and its data. Because: There are fraudsters everywhere, and the watch trade is by no means an exception.

Popular variations and models

In terms of demand, the Day-Date 40 is particularly popular, while the 36 is somewhat less in demand. Many men prefer the President in yellow gold or platinum, while women are often particularly keen on a model made of white or rose gold. Ultimately, when choosing a Rolex President, personal taste is the deciding factor in which model to choose.

Conclusion on the Rolex Presidential

Introduced as a true innovation, the Rolex Day-Date with Presidential bracelet took the market by storm and is still one of the most popular and well-known Rolex models of all time. No wonder: a watch that has found its way onto the wrists of many high-ranking politicians and even presidents over the years is not easily forgotten. The Rolex President is therefore a model for eternity, not just because of its special bracelet or extravagant date, but also because of its prominent, influential wearers.