Due to their nature and exceptional appearance, Rolex Day-Date watches are called Presidential Rolex. It was first introduced in 1956, and since then, this luxury timepiece has become popular among politicians and other influential figures worldwide.
Today we are taking a closer look at these precise watches, uncovering their stories of success, as well as how they’ve come.
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Rolex Presidential: What makes this watch so famous?
All Rolex watches have something special attached to it. However, why Rolex Day-Date watches, also known as Presidential Rolexes, are so exceptional? It is not uncommon for watch enthusiasts to label models with nicknames. The Rolex President or Presidential Rolex is one of these models with a name that stuck and has particularly become well known.
Rolex President History
The groundbreaking Day-Date Rolex watch model was introduced in 1956. As its name suggests, it was the first-ever watch to display the day and date on its dial. Day-Date was also the first chronometer wristwatch to have the day of the week written out in full instead of an abbreviation. This already set it apart as an iconic part of horological history.
The Day-Date watch, which has only previously been produced in precious metals like gold or platinum, raises the term “luxury watch” to a new level. This sets the bar high and naturally draws attention to this watch as a timepiece suited for only the most exceptional people.
How the Day-Date Become Known as the Rolex Presidential
The world’s most influential people favored the Day-Date over other luxury watches because of their heritage, classic style, and quality. Many American Presidents love to wear Rolex Day Date watches.
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th U.S President, was known to favor Rolex watches. President Lyndon was often observed to be wearing a full yellow gold Rolex Day-Date and the Presidential bracelet on his wrist both in person and in photographs.
Former American President Donald Trump also has a gold Rolex Day Date. Other influential figures spotted wearing Rolex Presidential watches include Pope Francis, Fidel Castro, and Nelson Mandela.
In the Rolex Day-Date advertising campaign, the company intelligently used images of American Presidents, and soon it became one of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious watches. “Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches” was a famous tagline used in the company’s ads. These intelligent marketing campaigns soon gained popularity, and eventually, Day-Date became known as the Rolex Presidential watch or simply the Rolex President today.
The Rolex Day-Date Watch and The President Bracelet
Initially, the Rolex Day Date was only available in 18k gold or platinum. Today, you can get your Day-Date in a wide range of precious metals, case sizes, and even bracelet styles – including the famous President bracelet, which was designed to create Rolex’s most exclusive and elegant metal bracelet. The President bracelet is only manufactured in precious metals such as yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, or white gold.
American Presidents with Rolex Day Date(Rolex Presidential)
- Gerald Ford
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy
- Ronald Reagan
- Donald Trump.
There is an interesting story about John F. Kennedy’s Rolex Day Date. It was said that Marilyn Monroe gifted Rolex Day-Date President watches to him on his birthday on May 19, 1962, who has been rumored to have been her lover. Unfortunately, President Kennedy immediately disposed of the watch and never even wore it. In 2005, his Presidential Rolex watch was auctioned for $120,000 by Alexander Autographs auction house in the year of 2005.
President Dwight Eisenhower wore a full 18k yellow gold Datejust which was gifted to him by Rolex, and Ronald Regan adorned steel Rolex Datejust watches. President Barack Obama still wears a Rolex Cellini Time in 18k white gold. This rich history has undoubtedly contributed to the Day-Date watch becoming one of the most desired and recognized Rolex watch models.
On top of that, Rolex has generally been known to gift presidents and world leaders with their watches – a strategic move to ensure their products remain associated with influence and success.
How much is a Rolex President?
The value and cost of the Rolex President have only continued to peak over the years because of its legacy and association with power. Presidential Rolex is a common presence in expensive watch auctions. In an auction, Rolex Rainbow Khanjar Day-Date ref. 18059 was sold for $1,330,000 in Feb 2022.
At present, you can purchase a brand new classic 36mm yellow gold model for about $33,150 at retail. Other models of the Rolex President have varying prices based on the configuration, size of the case, and materials.
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 6510 and Ref. 6511
The Rolex ref. 6510 and 6511 are two of the earliest models of the Rolex President. They were produced for over a year before Rolex began to improve on the mechanics. These models were soon substituted by the refs 6611, 6612, and 6613, which had the caliber 1055 with the new balance wheel and Microstella regulating screws.
Rolex Lady-President Watches
Rolex Lady Presidential is the only rival of the Rolex President, and it is crafted in 18k gold. It is smaller to fit a woman’s wrists better but remains as captivating as any men’s Rolex President.
Its models are in three forms: the Lady-Datejust 26, the Lady-Datejust 28, or the Datejust 31, with the numbers indicating the case size. Famous female celebrities are huge fans of Presidential Rolex watches. Further, many females celebrate spotted with large men’s presidential watches.
Rolex President Defining Features
Ingeniously featuring a duo of calendar indications on the dial, the Rolex President has the window for the date at 3 o’clock and the window for the day at 12 O’clock. The President bracelet is designed with semi-circular links in a three-piece link configuration, and soon it also became one of the most popular bracelet designs.
The name of the bracelet might also have played a part in the Rolex Presidential nickname, which that Day-Date watch was eventually given.
Conclusion
Great people may not have many similarities in terms of personalities, areas of accomplishment, or interests. However, one thing these personalities often have in common is the Day-Date watches on their wrists – for a good reason too. I hope now you know What a Presidential Rolex is and how it got this name.
Saneesh VS is a tech and fitness enthusiast. He has been reviewing smartwatches and fitness trackers for the past few years and is passionate about it. He writes about the latest news in the industry, helpful tips, and buying guides. You can find him working out or spending time with his family when he’s not writing or reviewing gadgets.