The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 18 ct yellow gold with an onyx, diamond-set dial, fluted bezel and a President bracelet.
Each dial is a miniature work of art. The colour, reflections and surface texture, along with decorative elements and the overall design give the watch its intrinsic character. Rolex masters all aspects of its dial creation and production in-house. From the initial sketches to
the final inspection, including colouring or the application of appliques, the process involves a series of steps and operations that call on specific expertise. Some of these professions – enamelling, for instance – date from the early days of watchmaking. Others are inherent to the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as magnetron sputtering, a complex technique for colouring the surface of a dial by depositing a thin film of material in a vacuum environment. A meeting of traditional skills and technology, the manufacture of Rolex dials perfectly encapsulates the philosophy that guides the brand: seeking the
highest level of quality to achieve an impeccable, long-lasting result.
The Rolex fluted bezel is a mark of distinction. Originally, the fluting of the Oyster bezel had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. It was therefore identical to the fluting on the case back, which was also screwed onto the case for waterproofness, using specific Rolex tools. Over time, the fluting became an aesthetic element, a genuine Rolex signature feature. Today the fluted bezel is a mark of distinction, in gold on this Day-Date 40.
By operating its own exclusive foundry, Rolex has the unrivalled ability to cast the highest quality 18 ct gold alloys. According to the proportion of silver, copper, platinum or palladium added, different types of 18 ct gold are obtained: yellow, pink or white. They are made with only the purest metals and meticulously inspected in an in-house laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, before the gold is formed and shaped with the same painstaking attention to quality. Rolex’s commitment to excellence begins at the source. The design, development and production of Rolex bracelets and clasps, as well as the stringent tests they face, involve advanced high technology. And, as with all the components of the watch, aesthetic controls by the human eye guarantee impeccable beauty. The President bracelet, with its semi-circular three piece links, was created in 1956 for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. It represents the ultimate in refinement and comfort and is always made of carefully selected precious metals.
Model case
Type
Diameter
Material
Bezel
Oyster Architecture
Winding crown
Crystal
Water resistance
Movement
Type
Calibre
Precision
Oscillator
Winding
Functions
Power reserve
Bracelet
Type
Bracelet Material
Clasp
Dial
Type
Certification
Case reference 228238
Bracelet reference 83418
