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DAY DATE
Patented July 23. 1955 - officially Released in 1956
after Rolex had been enjoying quite a barren spell
in the sale of its manufactured complicated timepieces it soon
began to revive fortune. This new 6511 the "Day Date" had
a window at 12 spelling out the day at 12 and the date was shown
at 3. Due to the complexity of the watch, with its automatic
movement, additional day and date discs and a screw down back it
was a very large and thick watch which gave it presence on the
wrist. Introduced as a niche model it soon gained the popularity
it deserves and after the introduction of the concealed clasp (
concealed clasp was offer as $75 option in 1969)
it
was known as the "President".
The Day Date became Rolex's flagship. The
first model (6511) lasted just over a year before it was
replaced by the externally identical 6611. This model
featured the new caliber 1055 movement with its free
sprung Micro-Stella balance and was the first to be labeled "
Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" on the dial. This
new accuracy standard guaranteed the watch to remain within +
3.0 seconds per day. In 1959 caliber 1055 was replaced with
caliber 1555 in model 1803 (18,000bph) and later in year 1965 -
model 1803 received caliber 1556 (19,800bph). In 1977 caliber
3055 (quick-set) was introduced in model 18038 and in 1988
caliber 3155 (double quick-set) was introduced in model 18238.
Caliber 3155 is the caliber still used today in all Day-Date
models.
The Day Date earned the
nickname the "President" when Rolex reportedly gave one
to the then President of the United States Dwight Eisenhower.
Some sources say that President Eisenhower was actually given a
Datejust (not Day-Date) with the presidential style bracelet.
But it is a fact that several
other US presidents are known to wear Day-Date
(Roosevelt, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan).
These early models did
not have the hack feature and appeared rather bulky. In their
never ending quest to modernize the basic configuration of the
Day Date, Rolex designers have changed from the bulbous
bubbleback look of the early models to the slender shape
employed today.
With only a few mild case design changes over the years the
first modification to the Day Date was the addition of
the hack feature in about 1972. This allowed the
second hand to be stopped dead if you wanted to set the time via
a preset accurate source. At this time the shape of the head was
essentially the same as it is today. The Day Date was available
in white gold, yellow gold, pink gold and platinum although in
early 70's the pink gold watch was fazed out.
The " Quick set "
feature (caliber 3055) solved one of the watches biggest problems.
Introduced in the late 1970's Quick set was added to all Rolex
models by 1983. Instead of turning the crown round and round to
change the date the wearer could just pull the button out half
way and a few turns at most and the correct date was displayed.
The introduction of the
quick set feature also coincided with other developments for the
Day Date. The inclusion of the sapphire crystal not only
gave the watch a sleeker look but also added to the durability
of the watch. The sapphire crystal fitted tighter than the
plastic glass employed before and rendered the watch glass
scratch proof near enough. The early Day Date models were
waterproof to 165 feet ( 50 meters) while the current model is
safe at depths of up to 100 meters. At the same time the
current model is much slimmer.
In addition to the
advancements structurally and internally Rolex introduced a new
number system that is still in use for today on some models.
They added an extra digit to the model number. This number
although denoted a new line actually represented the material
the watch was when it left the product line.
Introduced in
1988/89 was the "Double Quick Set" watch with
caliber 3155. This was model
18238 and it made the setting of the Day and Date even
easier as they could both be done on the button. Rolex has also
increasingly expanded their "Crown Collection" to include all
types of precious stones by now although they were available
with diamonds on the bezel from their introduction.
From the end of 2000
the Day Date has been available in pink gold again. The
watch has also been introduced with slightly redesigned case
with polished lugs, smooth bezel is now domed, a domed sapphire
crystal, solid center links on now heavier bracelet
and can also come on an oyster bracelet to bring it in line with many
of their other models.
The Day Date across the
world has become synonymous with class and style. This watch
remains one of the most prestigious additions a man can have to
his wardrobe.
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