An ultra-exclusive version of an already-exclusive watch, this Day-Date is quite literally out of this world, so let's explore what makes it so unique
The Day-Date and its History
Amongst any brand, be it a watchmaker, clothing brand, car maker, or what have you, there will be a flagship product that is the epitome of that brand's ethos. Porsche has the 911, Ralph Lauren has the polo shirt, Hermès has the Birkin, and Rolex has the Day-Date. While you could make an argument for most of Rolex's catalogue, the Day-Date operates as Rolex's most prototypical product.
Released in 1956, the Day-Date was the first automatic winding timepiece to feature a day and date display. Quickly becoming one of Rolex's most prestigious timepieces, the Day-Date was initially offered in only yellow gold, rose gold and white gold, all exclusive precious metals. Like the marketing geniuses they are, Rolex would offer their timepieces to the most accomplished men of the 20th century with the understanding that they would become ambassadors for their watches once the public saw them wearing their Rolex timepieces.
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First to receive a Day-Date was U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, with his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, the next president to wear one. Following such prestigious endorsement, Rolex began to market their link to the two men with the advertising slogan "Men Who Guide The Destinies Of The World Wear Rolex Watches." Following these advertisements, the Day-Date's bracelet earned the "President" nickname, and from there, the timepiece itself has become synonymous with leadership, achievement and success.
Today, the Day-Date still exists as one of Rolex's most exclusive offerings, with its historical significance, exclusively precious metal construction and timeless design. While the Day-Date often seems to be suspended in time, the Day-Date ref. 228206 we have here is perhaps one of the most modern variants of the iconic timepiece available, thanks to its hyper-exclusive construction and modern aesthetic.
The Platinum Construction
Constructed of platinum in its entirety, the Day-Date ref. 228206 that we have here exists beyond the scope of a regular golden Day-Date. Unlike most conventional precious metals, platinum requires specific training, metallurgy techniques and refining to get just right. First offered as a metal for the Day-Date in 1988, platinum has eclipsed every other metal provided on the Day-Date as the ultimate timepiece material thanks to its inherent exclusivity, unique lustre and iconic heft.
While the Day-Date is often found with a fluted bezel, you will notice that the ref. 228206 is fitted with a smooth bezel. With platinum being as tough to work with as it is, Rolex only offers their platinum Day-Dates with smooth and diamond-encrusted bezels due to the time a fluted bezel would require. With its platinum case and bracelet harbouring a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, the ref. 228206 looks incredible on the wrist, as it deserves.
The Meteorite Dial
Beyond its 40mm platinum case and iconic presidential bracelet, the ref. 228206 features another hyper-exclusive design motif, and that is its dial. While traditional watch dials are typically made of brass or other metals, with a coating of some description applied to them, the ref. 228206 is fitted with a meteorite dial – which is, rather fittingly, out of this world.
Famously, Rolex have only used one source of meteorite for all of their meteorite dials, the Gibeon Meteorite in Namibia. While that meteorite scattered about 26,000 kilograms of alien material around Namibia a few million years ago, it was only discovered in 1838. Eventually, it found its way to Rolex decades later, who began to buy pieces of it. As the Gibeon meteorite is protected and no longer up for sale, Rolex's current supply of meteorite for their dials is at an all-time low and consequently, meteorite dial timepieces like the ref. 228206 we have here have become incredibly rare.
Featuring unusual silver-grey crystalline metallic patterns, meteorite dials are always unique, with no two dials harbouring identical patterns. Made by taking a slice of space rock and applying an acid etch that burns out the pattern and then polishing it, meteorite dials are labour intensive and challenging to get to the exact standards required. Fitted with diamond hour markers, the ref. 228206 takes its meteorite dial and adds another layer of exclusivity to it. As if space rock wasn't luxurious enough, these dials are simply astounding.
The Iconic Movement
One of the most iconic pieces of the Day-Date is its eponymous complication. While Rolex had made some complicated watches back in the day, they failed to sell particularly well. Their chronographs, moon phases and annual calendars just collected dust. However, the Day-Date was the first complicated model that Rolex offered that sold well. At the heart of this success was the Day-Date's movement.
At the heart of the ref. 228206 is the in-house automatic cal. 3255 movement. Featuring 70 hours of power reserve, instantaneous day and date change, COSC and superlative chronometer testing providing accuracy of +/- 2 seconds per day, a Paramagnetic blue parachrom hairspring, and a fantastic shock absorption system, the Day-Date ref. 228206 is as technically impressive as its design would suggest.
Conclusion
While you might look at the Day-Date ref 228206 and assume that it is a watch that needs to be nurtured, I think you would be wrong. After all, it features an incredibly robust movement, and a screw-down crown and caseback, which combine to provide 100m of water resistance. Honestly, in typical Rolex fashion, the modern Day-Date is a sports watch in a suit that you can wear anytime you like and the ref. 228206 is no different. With its monochromatic aesthetic thanks to its diamond hour markers, silver meteorite dial and platinum construction, the Day-Date ref. 228206 makes a sophisticated statement without the need to be over-zealous or in your face.
Quick Take
A true "if you know you know" kind of timepiece, the ref. 228206 is quite an excellent package that exists at the apex of Rolex's most prestigious and exclusive offering, with very few pieces challenging its status as the ultimate Rolex timepiece.
Specifications
The Rolex Day-Date 40 “President”
Reference number: 228206-0036
Case size: 40mm
Thickness:12 mm
Material: Platinum
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal
Water-resistance: 100m
Movement: Rolex cal. 3255
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, day
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 bph
Power reserve: 70 hours
Strap: Platinum ‘President”
Availability: Application-only
For further information, visit Rolex online.
