A legendary timepiece with iconic history, the Rolex Day-Date has earned the title of the "Watch of Prestige", and for good reason. Unveiled in 1956, it swiftly became the preferred choice for athletes, visionaries, and global leaders, leading to its enduring moniker 'the President.' This nickname persists even today, as the watch continues to serve as Rolex's flagship offering with its luxurious construction and timeless design.
Constructed entirely of platinum, this Day-Date Ref. 118366 that I have here features the iconic three-piece link "Presidential" bracelet and its signature 36mm case with a beautiful bezel fitted with large luxurious baguette diamonds. Encased within lies a cool ice-blue dial with a sunburst effect (like on other platinum Rolex watches), tastefully embellished with diamond-set hour markers. What makes this example special is that it is an off catalogue piece, meaning that it is not advertised by Rolex and only available to purchase upon request. This makes it an extremely rare and collectable piece.
When it comes to diamonds on watches, I frequently find that many brands tend to veer towards excess, utilizing an overzealous amount of diamonds that often can detract from the purity of the original design and disrupt the overall visual balance. However, the aesthetic arrangement showcased in this Ref. 118366 is simply impeccable. While it's notably extravagant in design and spirit, the plain and hefty platinum case seen here serves to temper its lavish appearance ever so slightly by subtly toning down the visual opulence of the diamonds used. Overall, the combination of a bezel with big baguette diamonds, an ice-blue sunburst dial with diamond-set hour markers, and a hefty platinum 950 case create a truly unparalleled ensemble.
Moving on to its movement, powering this Ref. 118336 from within is Rolex’s Cal. 3155, a self-winding, COSC-certified (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) movement which was developed entirely in-house by Rolex to replace the Cal. 3055 used in its Day-Date range. Originally introduced by Rolex in 1988, it remained in use up until 2019. In terms of power reserve, the Cal. 3155 can hold a charge for up to 48 hours on a full wind.
This Ref. 118366 is a truly remarkable example and a relatively rare find these days. It would undoubtedly make an exceptional addition to any discerning collector's collection. While I often highlight that white gold is the discreetly luxurious metal of choice, opting for platinum, if possible, adds an extra level of distinction. In my view, it effortlessly evades unwanted attention while exuding an understated sense of exclusivity. Moreover, each time you wear it, the weight of the platinum case and bracelet serves as a constant reminder that this isn’t just any ordinary contemporary Day-Date—it is truly something extraordinary.
