What is the Rolex Day-Date?

Introduced in 1956, the Day-Date is Rolex's precious-metal flagship and the first wristwatch to display the day of the week in full at 12 o'clock alongside the date at 3 o'clock. It is nicknamed the President.

Why is it called the President?

The name comes from the President bracelet developed for the model and from its association with presidents and world leaders who wore it, including Eisenhower and Johnson.

Is the Day-Date available in steel?

No. The Day-Date has only ever been made in 18k gold or platinum, never stainless steel. A steel, date-only alternative is the Datejust.

What movement does the current Day-Date use?

The Day-Date 40 uses the caliber 3255 (three-day power reserve, Chronergy escapement, Superlative Chronometer minus 2 to plus 2 seconds per day); the 36mm models use the related caliber 3235.

What sizes does the Day-Date come in?

Two sizes: 36mm and 40mm (the Day-Date 40, launched in 2015).

Rolex Day-Date History: The President's Watch

Rolex introduced the Day-Date in 1956 as the crowning expression of the Oyster Perpetual line. It was the first wristwatch to show the date and the day of the week written out in full, the latter in an arched window at 12 o'clock, with the date under a Cyclops lens at 3 o'clock. Crucially, it was offered exclusively in 18-carat gold or platinum — never steel — positioning it from day one as a watch of status rather than utility. The original 36mm references included the smooth-bezel ref. 6510 and the fluted-bezel ref. 6511 .

The Day-Date has always housed Rolex's most refined automatic movements. Early examples used the caliber 1055; the long-running caliber 3155 (with the Rolex-designed day and date mechanism) powered the 36mm model for decades. In 2015, the Day-Date 40 introduced the modern caliber 3255 — developed largely from scratch with fourteen patents, the high-efficiency Chronergy escapement, a Parachrom hairspring, and an approximately 70-hour (three-day) power reserve. Like all current Rolex movements it carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, rated to −2/+2 seconds per day.

Today the Day-Date is offered in two case sizes — 36mm and 40mm — across four precious metals: yellow gold, white gold, Everose gold and 950 platinum. The 40mm references (such as the yellow-gold 228238 and Everose 228235 ) use the caliber 3255; the 36mm line (references in the 128 -series, e.g. 128238) uses the closely related caliber 3235. Dial choices range from classic champagne and lacquer colours to hardstone and meteorite, and platinum models carry Rolex's signature ice-blue dial. The fluted bezel and President bracelet remain the defining Day-Date signatures, though smooth bezels and leather straps are also offered.