The Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece Watch
When you stop to imagine what the product of crossing a Day-Date with a Pearlmaster bracelet can be, many possibilities pop up! Well, the answer is here already; A special edition Rolex Masterpiece timepiece! If you have not heard of this particular Rolex offering, then, you are in the right place. Keep reading to find out what exactly is the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch.
Introducing Rolex’s Ultimate Watch Of Prestige; The Day-Date
Launched in 1956, the Day-Date earned its status as the first waterproof and self-winding chronometer timepiece in no time with this new feature. More so, the first Day-Date came with a modern calendar featuring a quick day display. This feature came spelled out in full in a window on the dial, in addition to the date feature already available.
Thanks to the various perks like the incredible precision, dependability, legibility, and presence of this prestigious model, this series easily earns the respect of being Rolex’s ultimate status offering.
In addition, you may be wondering how Rolex managed to improve on an already accurate wristwatch at the time? You might have heard the popular expression that goes thus, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Well, as the case is, Rolex didn’t have to wait for something to be broken before making modifications. That, right there, is the Rolex innovative spirit. Also, note that this was a time tool that already earned the reputation of a workhorse.
Overall, the wristwatches in the Day-Date series are precise, fashionable, and very prominent. Therefore, it is an amazing sight to discover how this series rose and how far it keeps maturing.
How Rolex Better Perfection in the Day-Date Series
To understand this in its entirety, we will take a trip back to 1956. At that time, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date with its easy-to-spot President bracelet was a pleasant sight on the wrists of world leaders. Even CEOs, Presidents, and other top-level dignitaries could not pass on this Rolex offering. This earned one of these time tools the Rolex ‘President’ title that it carries to this day.
Just like every other Rolex Day-Date timepiece introduced since then, the unique Rolex bracelet stayed constant. However, it went through various modifications that also affect the watch it features on. This improvement involved the watch cases, materials used, dials, designs, and the mechanical movements it features. Below are a few of the standard features that remained constant on these timepieces, however:
- The date or day display indicates the day of the month in an aperture. This aperture can be found at the 3 o’clock spot
- The day of the week which you can find easily in a semi-circular fashion at the 12 o’clock spot
- These timepieces were also water-resistant thanks to their oyster case. The oyster case comes with a patented system encompassing screwing down the bezel, the case back, and the winding crown against the middle case.
- Also, they feature a magnifying cyclops lens.
- Then, a patented blue Parachrom hairspring also comes from this watch. This addition makes it 10 times the shock protection than a regular hairspring.
- Again, there is a patented Twinlock double waterproofness system built into the screw-in winding crown of the watch. More so, this system features two sealed areas when the crown is screwed down properly. You will find one in the tube of the crown and another in the crown itself! You can also find this same system on Rolex popular Air King watches.
Welcome the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece Watch
No one raises a question when it comes to timepieces made by Rolex. It is a known fact that Rolex is the top name among all the other watchmaking companies. That explains why the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece continues to get so much attention. The acceptance and vogue it enjoyed began right from the minute it hit the luxury watch world. This timepiece carries the signature quality Rolex is known for. More so, this particular time tool oozes refinement and function for comfortable wear and functional use as well.
Below are some of the product’s features and specifications:
- Date and day display
- Waterproof
- Platinum case material
- Watch label is Swiss made
- Ice blue dial color among other color options
- Automatic movement
- Scratch-resistant sapphire
- The bezel is a fixed set with 40 diamonds
Tracing the Roots of the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece from the Pearlmaster
Are you a watch collector or a Rolex lover and you wish to unravel how the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch came to be? Then, we must take a look back at the company’s history a little bit.
It all started in 1992. That year, Rolex launched a new watch model known as the Pearlmaster. At the time, the Pearlmaster filled the position of being Rolex’s jewelry watch collection. This line of Rolex wristwatches always come fashioned from precious metals. Also, it always featured embellishments with diamonds.
Primarily, the trademark design quality of the Rolex Pearlmaster is its bracelet. This bracelet is aptly named the Pearlmaster bracelet. When you look at the Pearlmaster bracelet, what you see is a five-piece links bracelet fitted with a concealed Crownclasp. This bracelet type is curvier than the Oyster bracelet. But, the Pearlmaster bracelet is flatter than the Jubilee or President bracelet. All of these bracelet options are in-house products of Rolex’s ingenious ideas.
The Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch is different from the traditional President bracelet of the Rolex Day-Date because it comes with a Pearlmaster bracelet
Initially, Rolex only paired the Pearlmaster bracelet with Lady-Datejust watches. That way, the watchmaker developed impressive gold and or platinum diamond Rolex watches for ladies. Nonetheless, in the 2000s, Rolex introduced a set of new special-edition Day-Date watches. This new set of Day-Date watches came with Pearlmaster bracelets. One of such watches was the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch.
The Tridor Day-Date Masterpiece Watch
Of all the versions of the Day-Date Masterpiece watch, a particularly striking version of this special-edition Rolex is the Tridor Day-Date Masterpiece 18948. For starters, this watch comes with the 18k yellow gold 39 mm Oyster case. Then, that element of the watch comes topped with a Rolex factory diamond-set bezel.
In all, there are a total of 40 round-cut diamonds on the bezel of this Masterpiece ref. 18948. More so, there’s the stunning meteorite dial with its unique Widmanstätten check-like pattern and color. This part of the watch is a product of the celebrated Gibeon meteorite that fell in prehistoric times in Namibia. Impressively, Rolex manages to furnish some of the brand’s time offering with meteorite dials. With this particular Rolex meteorite dial comes 10 diamond hour markers. Also, there are two baguette-cut diamonds.
Finally, there is also the Tridor Pearlmaster bracelet. This special bracelet combines three shades of 18k gold–yellow, white, and rose. So, are you out in search of a show-stopping Rolex watch that not many people can claim to own? Then, this watch is what you need.
Pros of the Day-Date Masterpiece
- Being a product made by Rolex, there’s no doubt that this time tool is a product of some of the best materials out there. As a buyer, you can expect to own this watch for decades.
- It features a modest yet elegant design. With this design, Rolex ensures that this watch is always eye-catching. Are you in search of the perfect accessory to top a sophisticated date? Here is your surest bet anytime!
- In addition, the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch is waterproof. So, it comes fitted with every element needed to function perfectly. So, even after being immersed for up to 100 meters in depth, this Day-Date Masterpiece watch continues to deliver precision and elegance.
- The Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch comes with a screw-down crown. This part of the time tool helps you to effortlessly adjust the time whenever you need to.
- More so, the movement this timepiece features is automatic. With that, it promises to remain accurate for as long as the battery delivers just the right amount of power.
- Again, the sapphire is scratch resistant. What that means is that the watch will look impressively new regardless of the number of years it has been in use.
- Take away the hours, minutes, and seconds function, and this watch will still display the day and date precisely.
- Additionally, the bracelet can also come as a Platinum Pearlmaster. Such a bracelet option is an excellent fit for the wrist. If you are a lady, be sure you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable wearing it in any way. Plus, you will still perform all your basic tasks without any hassle.
- Finally, the clasp is the concealed crown type. Here is another lovely addition that creates room for a visually seamless fit on the wrist of the wearer.
Cost: The One Con of the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece Watch
Alt-Image: the Rolex Day-Date masterpiece cost
In a similar fashion to what you have with most Rolex products, the main difficulty is the cost. The cost separates these Rolex time offerings from any other timepiece on the market. As for the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch, you can find some version of it within the price range of more than $70,000. However, have you considered the reputation of the name and the function and elegance it offers? When you do, you will agree that this time tool is clearly worth every penny it might cost.
Dissecting The Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece Watch
To have a good feel of what is inherent in the Day-Date Masterpiece, it is important to properly break down the watch. That way, we can consider every different aspect, the materials used and the functions performed. Dive in!
A Larger Case
One of the first things you’ll catch a glimpse of when looking at the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece is that its case is larger. When compared to the classic Day-Date timepieces, this watch comes in a larger case. More so, Rolex Day-Date watches or if you like, the Rolex President normally come in 36 mm cases. This case sizing was constant until the introduction of the 41 mm Day-Date II in 2008 and the Day-Date 40 in 2015.
As for the Day-Date Masterpiece watch, we have a larger 39 mm case. That is larger compared to the conventional 36 mm Day-Date case sizing.
Alt-Image: the case of the Day-Date masterpiece
In addition, the Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece watch, on the flip side, parades a larger 39mm case to the wearer’s delight. This case sizing difference makes it a great choice for those who wished for a bigger Rolex President.
The Dial Featuring the Ever-Distinctive Duo
Moreover, the dial, of course, maintains the standard duo of calendar windows to indicate the day of the week and the day of the month.
Braced for Impact and Pleasurable Aesthetics
Meanwhile, as we stated above, rather than the iconic President bracelet, the Day-Date Masterpiece comes fitted with a Pearlmaster bracelet. That gives not only a better fit but, also, an elegant look.
Meanwhile, both the Pearlmaster and Day-Date come exclusively adorned with precious metals. That way, it comes as no surprise that the Day-Date Masterpiece is also only available in gold or platinum metal options. In addition, there are loads of ultra-lavish versions of this Day-Date Masterpiece watch, like the Tridor models that mix three shades of gold. We also have the option of the platinum versions finished with baguette-cut diamonds featured on the bracelet.