Brands such as Rolex tend to have quite a few releases each year, but some just go unnoticed and the same could be said for 2022. This year Rolex released quite a few new variations of Day-Date, which we’ve yet to get around too. The Day-Date has always been a favourite of mine, even growing up as child of all the Rolex my dad owned this one sticks out more than any other. The Day-Date is Rolex symbol of excellence and prestige; it is the timepiece you reward yourself with. Though nowadays it has become more a symbol of opulence, but this doesn’t diminish its meaning.
The dials of these new Day-Dates are rather special. There’s a new Onyx diamond-set dial, a diamond paved dial with matching diamond set bezel, a deep green dial (reminiscent of vintage stella dials) and then there’s one with an ice blue dial. Now, those you’ve you who are in the know, know that Rolex reserve these dials for watches fashioned out of platinum.
The platinum version features a dial with applied roman numerals against the sunburst ice blue backdrop, a railroad minute track with a large aperture at 12 o’clock for the day display with another aperture at 3 o’clock for the date. The gold Day-Date 40 is now available with a racing green dial, akin to the stella dials of yesteryear, with applied gold roman numerals, gold font with a matching railroad minute track. Perhaps my favourite of the lot is the onyx dial that will be unique in each piece, which features diamond baguettes, with gold font and gold detailing surrounding the apertures. Last but not lest is the diamond paved dial, with diamond baguettes and name plaques which contain the brand and model.
Naturally all cases measure 40mm – hence Day-Date 40. Like all Rolex Day-Date’s these sport the highly distinctive fluted bezel, however, there are more options to choose from should one wish to do so. The Oyster case on these Day-Date 40, features a monobloc middle case with screw down case back and a twin-lock screw down crown, ensuring it is waterproof up to 100 metres. It goes without saying that no Day-Date would be complete without a “President” bracelet, which was designed specially for the Day-Date when launched in 1956.
The biggest change that has taken place over the last couple of years on the Day-Date 40 and one that has naturally been passed on to this new piece is the new in-house Rolex manufactured movement. The Calibre 3255 is COSC certified but like all new Rolex calibres, it has also undergone an exclusive series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to their own criteria, which exceeds watchmaking norms and standards. This new Superlative Chronometer status is identified by the green seal, as opposed to red, that now comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
While there is technically nothing new to see here, it just goes to show that even Rolex, like flexing their muscle to show-off their watching making prowess and demonstrate their superior dial making skills. What’s quite nice about these pieces is that from a distance it just looks like an ordinary run-of-the-mill Day-Dates until you get up close to really see the devil in the detail.
The new Rolex Day-Date 40 with Green, Onyx, Ice Blue, and Diamond Dial is price on request only. More information is available on the official Rolex website.
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