Baselworld 2015: Rolex Daydate 40

The Rolex Daydate, or rather known affectionately as the “president’s watch”, is perhaps one of Rolex’s most iconic models. The Daydate is a symbol of success and power, which is possibly one of the main reasons why the rich and famous are always seen wearing a Rolex Daydate on their wrists.

In this year’s Baselworld, Rolex had decided to carry out some updating to the current Daydate range. Prior to this, Rolex has got two main Daydate variants. The smaller Daydate is 36mm in diameter, while the larger Daydate (which is known as the Daydate II) is much larger at 41mm. The latest Daydate, also known as the Daydate 40, lies in between the both at 40mm.

Other than the change in size, Rolex had also updated the Daydate with a brand new movement. The latest Daydate 40 uses Rolex’s in-house Caliber 3255, an COSC-certified automatic movement that features a power reserve of around 70 hours (the previous one had a power reserve that was approximately 24 hours lesser).

Other than that, the new movement also features 14 patents. One of the key innovations in the movement is the new Rolex Chronergy escapement.  The result of extensive research, the geometry of the new  escapement improves the efficiency of this key component by 15 per cent. Almost half of the increased power reserve of calibre 3255 can be ascribed to the escapement itself. Made of nickel-phosphorus, the Chronergy escapement is, furthermore, insensitive to magnetic interference.

The new Rolex Daydate 40 is available in 4 different metals: platinum, white gold, everose gold, and yellow gold. In our opinion, the platinum version is the best, as the baby blue dial combines beautifully with the platinum case. Furthermore the watch has got a great heft, and it is comparatively subtle (as compared to the ones in everose gold or yellow gold). And yes, the watch is only available in the presidential bracelet.

The price of the new Rolex Daydate 40 are as followed: CHF 33,200 for yellow gold, CHF 35,800 for white and everose gold, and CHF59,500 for Platinum. As for the dial variants, Rolex did mentioned that there are new dials available for the Daydate 40. For those who are really interested, we suggest that you should make a trip down to an Authorised Dealer or a Rolex boutique to find out about the different dial options for the Daydate (after Baselworld is over, of course!)

 

Specifications from Press Kit

Oyster Perpetual Daydate 40
Reference (case – bracelet): 228206 – 83416 (Platinum) / 228235 – 83415 (Everose Gold)/ 228238 – 83418 (Yellow Gold)/ 228239 – 83419 (White Gold)

CASE
Type: Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)
Diameter: 40 mm
Material: 950 platinum, polished finish / 18 ct Everose gold, polished finish/ 18 ct yellow gold, polished finish/ 18 ct white gold, polished finish
Bezel: Smooth (Platinum only)/ Fluted
Caseback: Screw-down with Rolex fluting
Winding Crown: Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system
Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date, double anti-reflective coating
Waterproofness: 100 metres (330 feet)

MOVEMENT
Calibre: 3255, Manufacture Rolex, Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Precision: Superlative Chronometer: official COSC certificate + Rolex chronometer tests
Functions: Centre hour, minute and seconds hands, Instantaneous day and date in apertures, Unrestricted rapid-setting, Stop-seconds for precise time setting
Oscillator: Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz), Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, Breguet overcoil, Large balance wheel with variable inertia, High-precision regulating via four gold Microstella nuts, Traversing balance bridge, High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
Escapement: Chronergy with optimized energy efficiency, Paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet fork and escape wheel
Jewelling: 31 rubies
Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours

DIAL
Colour: Ice blue, diagonal motif on sunray finish/ Sundust, stripe motif on sunray finish/ Champagne, sunray finish/ Silver, quadrant motif on sunray finish
Hour Markers: 18 ct white gold appliques, Chromalight/ 18 ct pink gold appliques, Chromalight/ Bevelled deconstructed Roman numerals in 18 ct yellow gold/ Bevelled deconstructed Roman numerals
in 18 ct white gold
Hands: 18 ct white gold, Chromalight/ 18 ct pink gold, Chromalight/ 18 ct yellow gold/ 18 ct white gold

BRACELET
Type: President, three-piece solid links
Material: 950 platinum, polished centre links, satin-finished outer links with polished edges, ceramic inserts/ 18 ct Everose gold, polished centre links, satin-finished outer links with polished edges, ceramic inserts/ Bevelled deconstructed Roman numerals in 18 ct yellow gold/ Bevelled deconstructed Roman numerals in 18 ct white gold
Clasp: Concealed folding Crownclasp