In the last sixty-one years there cannot be a more archetypal symbol of success than the solid gold (or platinum) Rolex Day-Date “President,” bar none. It telegraphs a certain station in life in such an unapologetic way that you can’t help but notice it and then wonder what that person’s house must look like. If you’ve spotted the yellow gold “President” bracelet, the champagne sunburst dial with those gorgeous deco, yellow gold Roman numerals and the solid yellow gold case from across the room you’re looking at a Day-Date ref. 228238 – the house is probably pretty nice.
This watch is one of four new reference numbers that Rolex debuted at the 2015 Baselworld Fair under a new 40mm size and the workaday name, Day-Date 40 – these watches replaced the 41mm Day-Date IIs but it’s more than a single millimeter of size that defines this watch. The crux of the ’40’ is the new in-house Rolex caliber 3255 and the Rolex patented Chronergy escapement, which is technical and thoughtful and kind of a big deal.
As an asset in precious metal and a technological marvel the 228238 will put you in good stead with every head of state, classical musician, civil rights activist, gentleman racer, novelist, blues guitarist, premier chef, golfer, opera singer, Japanese master swordsmith, conductor, singer, movie director, entrepreneur, oil well firefighter, negotiator, international lawyer, tennis champion, pro football hall-of-famer or equestrian rider who has worn a Day-Date before you, which is quite a group.
Rolex has been building wristwatches to help people conquer the world since the mid-1920s and while collectively they’ve accompanied polar expeditions, mountain summits, record setting land speed and long distance flying attempts, treacherous open water swims and ocean exploration, when the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date (as it was known then) debuted in solid gold at the 1956 Baselworld Fair it was a different breed of cat entirely.