Rolex presents its new watches, Oyster Perpetual Day-Date and Perpetual 1908.
When launched in 1956, the Oyster Perptual Day-Date was a major innovation. It was the first calendar wristwatch to indicate the day of the week spelt out in an arc-shaped window on the dial, in addition to the date. An impressive technical feat at the time. Worn by many of the world’s political figures, directors and visionaries, the Day-Date is instantly recognisable, in particular thanks to its emblematic President bracelet. This evocative name, together with the eminent figures who have worn it, ensured the Day-Date became known as the “presidents’ watch”.
The new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date express the brand’s enduring desire for rare and wide-ranging expertise to be found in even the smallest details. Colours, materials, motifs, hour markers – each element contributes to the harmony of the new combinations.
Rolex is also presenting a new version of the Perpetual 1908, a reinterpretation of traditional watchmaking style imbued with Rolex’s expertise and aesthetic heritage. The 1908 is defined by its design, which conveys the full strength of the watch’s character in the simplicity of the display, and by details that confer its unique identity.
OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE
Ombré dials make their debut on the Day-Date 40. The version presented, in 18 ct Everose gold, introduces slate ombré – a completely new hue for such a dial. Also appearing for the first time on the ombré dial of this watch are faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals and faceted index hour markers in 18 ct pink gold.
Fashioned from 18 ct white gold, a second new version of the Day-Date 40 features a dial made of pearlised white mother-of-pearl. This natural material is used on the model for the very first time. On the version presented, the shimmer of the mother-of-pearl is further enhanced by the ten baguette-cut diamonds set onto the dial as hour markers.
Meanwhile, the Day-Date 36 proposes a dial with faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals and faceted index hour markers. A new variant of the Day-Date 36 in 18 ct yellow gold features a white lacquer dial.
For the first time, the Day-Date 36 in 18 ct Everose gold sports a blue-green dial, adorned with 10 baguette-cut diamonds. This dial of remarkable depth and intensity is notably available on a version of the watch whose bezel is set with 60 trapeze-cut diamonds.
A paragon of robustness and elegance, the Oyster case of Day-Date 40 and Day-Date 36 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The crystal, which features a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratch proof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. Both models are equipped with calibre 3255, enabling them to display the day and the date, as well as the hours, minutes and seconds.
The President bracelet is available in 18 ct Everose gold for the Day-Date 40 with the slate ombré dial and the Day-Date 36 with the blue-green dial. It is in 18 ct white gold for the Day-Date 40 with the pearlised white mother-of-pearl dial and in 18 ct yellow gold for the Day-Date 36 with the white lacquer dial.
PERPETUAL 1908
A watch of rare distinction, the new Perpetual 1908 is a visual masterpiece. This elegant and understated watch was named 1908 in homage to the year Hans Wilsdorf devised the name Rolex to sign his creations and registered the brand in Switzerland.
In 2024, the watch is decked in 950 platinum and graced with an ice blue dial featuring a guilloché rice-grain motif. This rosette-like design is distinctive for its three-dimensional, repeating geometric pattern that extends across the surface of the dial, starting from the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock. The minute track is surrounded by a filet sauté with a crimped pattern, which is also guilloché.
With the introduction of a dial created via guillochage – a technique that uses a turning tool to sculpt a pattern into a surface – Rolex is pursuing the course it has set for the Perpetual collection as a tribute to the classic art of watchmaking infused with the brand’s knowhow and creativity. This exclusive dial bears the same Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12, the same faceted hour markers and the same hands as that of the 18 ct gold versions. The watch presented is mounted on a brown alligator leather strap fitted with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp in 950 platinum.
The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology that features bridges decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève and a cut-out oscillating weight. Calibre 7140 enables the 1908 to display the small seconds, as well as the hours and minutes.
Guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 50 metres (165 feet), the case provides optimal protection for the movement nestled inside.
SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION
Like all Rolex watches, the Day-Date and 1908 carry the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolised by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
