An introduction and history of the Rolex Day-Date, also known as the Rolex President, including models, what to look for and who has been seen wearing one.
The history of the Rolex Day-Date
The Rolex Day-Date is arguably the watch that launched Rolex into the realm of high-end luxury watches and cemented its position as one of the world’s most sought-after and exclusive timepieces. More commonly known as the President because of the penchant of US presidents for wearing this iconic watch (although read on for more on this), the Day-Date was first launched in 1956 at the Basel fair.
This product is Rolex’s flagship timepiece; the epitome of their values of beautifully crafted, highly accurate and aesthetically pleasing watches. Often adorned with precious stones and available in a range of precious metals, the Rolex President watch is the watch that is synonymous with success in the west.
Day-Date 6511 and 6611
Launched in 1956 the Rolex Day-Date (as it was still known at the time) was the first watch to display the date and day of the week spelled out in full. It was by all accounts a bulky watch because of the complexity of the motion. It was replaced within 12 months by the 6611. The Day-Date 6611 was essentially identical to the 6511 from the outside, but internally Rolex had worked to improve the internal mechanisms to ensure accuracy was not lost due to the energy needed to change the date and day simultaneously at midnight.
The Day-Date 6611 was the first Rolex to bear the now legendary text: ‘Supurlative Chronometer Officially Certified’. This was thanks to updates to the mechanism balance that allowed it to be extremely accurate by the standards of the mid-60s.
The Rolex President
The origin of the moniker President/Presidential is somewhat contested with a few sources for the name cited. Whether the Day-Date was nicknamed for is presentation to Eisenhower by Rolex in the 50s, by Marylin Monroe to Kenedy in the 60s or simply because it was available with the President bracelet, it is certain that the Rolex President is a watch of choice for Presidents of the USA and connoisseurs of luxury vintage watches.
Day-Date President 1800 editions
At the end of the 50s Rolex updated the Day-Date Models to the 1800s’ with the variations in the last 2 digits generally indicating changes in dial/bezel/brown configurations. With more than 80 of the 1800 models released you can be assured of finding a Day-Date to your personal taste, with seemingly unlimited combinations of faces, hands, hour markers and over 20 languages. The watch is available in 18-carat yellow or white gold, with vintage Rose gold and Platinum editions also available. Diamond hour markers and decoration, including the bezel have been available since the start.
The Hack
Rolex continued to refine and develop the Day-Date including the introduction of the ‘Hack.’ As well as being somewhat bulky, the first releases of the Rolex Day-Date (prior to the early 70’s) required the wearer to diligently maintain the time or it was somewhat finickity to reset. The introduction of the ‘hack’ allowed the mechanism to be stopped without causing damage and meant that that watch could be more accurately set.
Day-Date President 18000
The Day-Date was updated again in the late 70s when a new calibre was introduced by Rolex. The was still available in many combinations (indicated by the last digit of the model number) but Rose gold was discontinued (which does help to make Rose gold 1800 editions more collectable). Quick-set and a new sapphire crystal were also introduced in the 18000 models. The sapphire crystal allowed much greater resistance to daily wear and tear and an increase in water resistance.
Quick-set
The quick-set development was a revolution for anyone who was not diligent in maintaining the time, date and day of their Rolex President – or even anyone who kept their Day-Date for special occasions. Quick-set does what its names suggests and allows the wearer to quickly set the date on their watch – no more continuous winding necessary. (This was updated further in the 90s to the double quick-set which made it even easier.)
These idiosyncrasies and gradual refinements and updates are part of the ethos of Rolex to continuously improve. They also make dating a vintage Rolex President somewhat easier by their presence or absence.
The Day-Date Oysterquartz
Sitting slightly larger on the wrist despite its quartz movement, the Rolex Day-Date Oysterquartz was introduced in the last quarter of the 20th century. Rolex was actually part of a group involved in developing quartz watches from the 60s, however they have always focused on, and been renowned for, their mechanical timepieces. The Day-Date Oysterquartz are therefore somewhat lesser known than other versions, but nonetheless they are as striking as all Day-Dates and have their own unique President bracelet.
The Day-Date II
The Day-Date II was released in 2008 with an unabashed 41mm case that demands to be noticed. While modern watches do not always command the same interest from collectors this watch was only available until 2015, which can make it more collectable. It is also slightly larger than the watch it was replaced by – the Day-Date President 40 – making it of interest to those who like their watches big.
What to look for in your Rolex Day-Date President watch?
- What material is it made from? – check against the reference number – some materials, such as the Rose gold, were discontinued and are therefore more collectable.
- The condition of the crystal – earlier plastic crystal was more susceptible to scratches but can still be highly sought-after
- Concealed clasp bracelet
- Do you have the original box & papers?
- What style hands does your Day-Date have?
The President is an icon of both vintage Rolex markets and current markets. Demand remains high, and values equally so, for all models of the Rolex President, largely because of its collectability and ability to hold its value.
We hope we have helped you discover more about your vintage Day-Date Rolex. If you are looking to sell or value your watch please get in contact for a free valuation by emailing [email protected], or alternatively use the form below.
