Best in Dials: The Rolex Day-Date with Mother of Pearl Dial

Whether you refer to it as the Rolex Day-Date or simply the Rolex Presidential, you’re still referring to a watch that makes itself known without an introduction. Furthermore, the Rolex Day-Date wristwatch is unarguably one of Rolex’s most distinguished wristwatches. You’re right if you assume that this is due to its amazing features like the Mother of Pearl dial. Is it due to it featuring both day and date apertures on its dial? Or, is it because there is a signature three-link bracelet that comes with this timepiece?  In all, there is a lot to love about the Rolex Day-Date wristwatch. Little wonder, the watch holds a huge presence among several high-ranking socialites and the likes. The Rolex Day-Date appears on the wrists of celebrities, dignitaries, as well as U.S. Presidents.

Overview

The Day-Date timepiece is an elegant and grand accessory featuring unique materials and high-end gemstones. The face of the watch features a mother of pearl, which is a rare and beautiful material that gives the face shine and iridescence.  On the bezel of the watch, we see high-grade colorless diamonds. This gives the watch a bit of extra glamor, as well as some sparkle. The watch still features the day and date as well as the classic bracelet, making it easily recognizable as the iconic style it is.

Main Features Of The Rolex Day-Date Timepiece Collection

• Year Of First Production: 1956
• Materials Used: 18k gold (in White, Rose, and Yellow) and 950 Platinum
• Case Diameter: 36mm; 40mm; 41mm
• Dial: Multiple Choices Up For Grabs especially the Mother of Pearl
• Bezel: Smooth, Fluted, Gem-Set, Textured
• Bracelet: Leather Strap, Oyster Bracelet, and President Bracelet
• Functions: Time with running seconds, Day Of The Week, Date Of The Month.
• Water Resistance: 330 feet or 100 meters

These are the major generic features of the entire Rolex Day-Date collection. However, in this review, our focus is on the Rolex Day-Date with Mother of Pearl dial.

History Of The Rolex Day-Date Collection

Rolex began to build a legacy through the Rolex Day-Date collection in 1956. The whole journey began with the release of two amazing references. These references are present in the series 6510 and 6511.  Also, to add to the specs of the series, the watchmaker added the President bracelet that’s now a signature classic. Again, it featured a fluted bezel, and a 36mm Oyster case type.  Additionally, these references became the earliest timepieces in the world to exhibit special features. It featured a blend of the day of the week and the date of the month. The display comes out fully spelled out through openings featured in its dial.  Moreover, the outstanding prestige of this watch is thanks to it being a member of the Oyster Perpetual series. Therefore, the 6510 and 6511 again displayed Rolex’s self-winding Perpetual movement and the signature waterproof Oyster case. In all, the design and the execution of this first-generation series became a propeller for more positive developments.  In no time at all, the series evolved into something larger. The Day-Date collection began to feature a vaster variation of perks. They came in areas like:

• Movements 
• Dial colors
• Bracelet Types 
• Metal preferences
• Bezels

Developing, Modifying, and Creating Varieties

Hereafter, the remainder of the Rolex Day-Date line came into the scene as follows:

• The 180x Series with Caliber 1555 first then Caliber 1556 later in 1959
• The 180xx Series with Caliber 3055 made in 1977
• In that same year, the OysterQuartz Series came featuring Caliber 5055, and later 5355
• The 182xx Series featuring Caliber 3155 in 1988
• In 2000, the 118xxx Series featured Caliber 3155
• The Day-Date II with 41mm case and Caliber 3156 in 2008
• The Day-Date 40 with Caliber 3255 in 2015
• Finally, in 2019, the 1282xx Series came into the scene featuring Caliber 3255

A lot went on within the Day-Date collection over the past many decades. First off, the production of the acrylic (Plexiglas) crystal stopped. This move was so the sleeker and more sturdy sapphire crystal could continue. This change marked the entrance of the 5-digit generation.  In this same period, the bracelet’s clasp got an upgrade. Now, it featured the hidden Crownclasp. This modification is still applicable in the wristwatch’s production presently. Although, it now comes in a modern and developed style.  However, new references again parade an advanced bracelet with very strong links. Similarly, they come with a superior clasp design, a narrowly larger case with thicker lugs, and a host of multicolored dial alternatives.  In essence, what these options imply is a broader range for you. Your choices are broader and you do not get limited in the slightest. Every part of this wristwatch passes off that liberty. You, as a customer can utilize this to get what suits you the most. However, the Rolex Day-Date watch is our pick, and rightfully so. 

Rolex Day-Date Movements Evolution 

• The Caliber 1055

Do you still remember the first series mentioned earlier? The Rolex Day-Date references 6510 and 6511. These references got their power from the Caliber 1055.  However, this Caliber needed a larger case to house the newly-added day disc. The larger case requirement also came due to the need to accommodate the simple self-winding system within the movement.  Meanwhile, in case you failed to notice, Rolex keeps up with a tradition in most of the brand’s offerings. The movement, plus the design of the case are products of relentless perfection. With that, the brand continuously offered sleeker timepieces. Also, these timepieces held more effortlessly on the wearer’s wrist.  As for this movement, it eventually got a replacement in the Caliber 1555. This caliber appeared in the 180x series of Day-Date timepieces.

• Caliber 1556 and 3035: Hacking Seconds And A Single Quickset Function

Thereafter, there was yet another crucial alteration to the movement. This alteration came in the 1970s. That year, the hacking seconds were added in the Caliber 1556. Likewise, the caliber came with a Single Quickset function. This function appeared in its successor, the Caliber 3055. With the hacking seconds, the wearer can now stop the seconds hand from running while adjusting the time. Thereby, allowing synchronization and improved accuracy.  For the Single Quickset function, it enables the wearer to change the date of the month unaided from the time. All that is needed is to merely rotate the winding crown of the wristwatch.

• The Quartz Crisis

Again, it was during this period that the Quartz Crisis shook the watchmaking industry. This was an era that witnessed a radical change in trends. The attention switched from mechanical movements to quartz-powered timepieces.  Therefore, to not be left behind, Rolex created a line of quartz movement timepieces. This new production included the Day-Date collection. At that point, the series got its power from the in-house Caliber 5055. Later on, this changed to the Caliber 5355.  Contrary to predictions, the Rolex OysterQuartz series production did not stop until very early in the 2000s. However, it eventually lagged. It simply didn’t catch up.

• The Caliber 3155

As soon as the 182xx series stormed the watchmaking scene in the late 80s, everyone knew something significant landed. This series came with the Caliber 3155. Similarly, it featured the now-standard Double Quickset function feature. Thanks to the Double Quickset feature, the wearer can easily adjust both the date and day displays. This is without twisting the crown all around (24-hour rotation).  With these modifications and developments, the Caliber 3155 continued to be the Day-Date’s go-to movement. This continued to be the case for the many decades that followed.

• The Caliber 3156 and 3255

The Rolex Day-Date collection brought with it a bigger 41mm case size. Also, it added the Caliber 3156 which has a power reserve lasting about 48-hour. As expected, this wristwatch took center stage upon its release. However, it was finally suspended to allow the new Day-Date 40 to work with the spanking-new Caliber 3255. Presently, the Caliber 3255 serves as the powerhouse of both the Rolex Day-Date 40 and Day-Date 36. This movement parades anti-shock technology and is magnetic-resistant. More so, it enjoys prominence thanks to its particularly detailed reading.  Similarly, this movement captions an extended 70-hour power reserve. Plus, it gains protection from a tally of 14 patents. Simply impressive!

Best in Dials: Into the Rolex Day-Date Dials

The Rolex Day-Date derives its title from the dual apertures present on its dial. These apertures include: 

• The numerical date fixed at the 3 o’clock position
• The day (spelled out in full) set at the 12 o’clock position
• Currently, the day of the week comes in 26 different languages. 

As for the design of the dial itself, you have various perks. There are:

• Traditional stick indices
• Arabic figures
• Roman figures 
• Diamond-set indexes

Additionally, the dial comes in numerous color alternatives. The colors include:

• Green
• Champagne
• White
• Silver
• Blue
• Then, there are dials made from exotic materials like this one. 

The last type features additions of semi-precious rocks. Also, there can be other rare substances like meteorites or fossils.

Mother of Pearl

Mother of pearl, which features on the dial of the Day-Date watch we feature here, is a unique material. Also often called nacre, this is a composite material that is found on the inner layer of certain mollusks. Though it may look a bit different, it is made from the same material as pearls, but it is found in the shell of the creature. It is a tougher version of this material. But it also has a unique iridescence that makes for a beautiful material for use in jewelry. There aren’t many creatures that produce this material. Most mollusks have an inner material that doesn’t have the iridescence that the mother of pearl has.  Back in the day, the mother of pearl was a common material that would be made into buttons. As time went on, people would realize this unique material can also make a great face for an amulet, bracelet, pendant, and more. The material is highly unique. Each and every piece of mother of pearl is unique. As seen in the Day-Date by Rolex we feature here, mother of pearl adds a shine and iridescence that most versions of this watch don’t have. Every mother of pearl face will be slightly different due to the composite nature of the material, creating a true one-of-a-kind look.

Into the Other Features of the Rolex Day-Date Watch 

The Rolex Day-Date timepiece comes with numerous choices as regards compositions. Most of these configurations are still in production to date. Although production for some others stopped already.  In this section, we present a succinct overview of the numerous details and varieties up for grabs within the Rolex Day-Date watch.

Cased Elegantly

The first case of the Rolex Day-Date collection was a 36mm one. Afterward, a 41mm Day-Date had a short stint as it appeared in the short-lived Day-Date II wristwatch.  For this particular timepiece, we have the Oyster case. This case is waterproof to as deep as 100 meters. In addition, it comes with either a fluted, smooth, diamond, or textured bezel. The recent versions of the watch feature scratch-resistant sapphire crystals right above the dial. 

Braced for Impact and Shine

The President bracelet happens to be the most iconic Day-Date bracelet choice any collector can make. This is what is present in the Rolex Day-Date series.  The bracelet launch came at the same time as the inaugural Day-Date. Well, you might find the President bracelet on a few versions of the Midsize and Lady-Datejust. Yet, the President bracelet is a component solely for the Day-Date series. You will know a President bracelet when you see a concealed Crownclasp. Then, there are the semi-circular, three-piece links with a polished center flanking the timepiece. 

The Rolex Day-Date Collection: Your Wrist's Best Friend

What is the result of a compelling investment prospect, desirous design, and phenomenal precision? That is the Rolex Day-Date watch! With all indications, this wristwatch is here to stay. Not just stay, but stay on top. The collection confirms this by lasting a span of over half a century already. The Day-Date line continues to be Rolex’s flagship line of wristwatches.  Furthermore, if you desire a luxury watch for investment reasons, the prospect lying within this wristwatch is amazing. This is a wristwatch with a lot of perks and almost no flaws.