There is the movement that gives any watch its heart, and it’s especially true for the Day-Date. The ‘miracle at midnight’, the nickname was made to that instantaneous jump in the two calendar windows every 24 hours, is as impressive today as it’s always been. In an age of digital wizardry, seeing the date in the 3 o’clock aperture and the day at 12 o’clock tick over in milliseconds and knowing it’s a machine-driven process is a bit like going to the movies. CGI special effects are all very beautiful, but there’s something much more compelling about watching the real thing.
It is a certain thing that the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is a statement watch, and its vast range of styles gives wearers an almost unlimited amount of control over just how loud that statement is. And the relatively small variation in the sizes—36mm to 40mm—makes a disproportionately big difference.
A platinum or white gold 36mm replica watch remains an under-the-radar, subtle declaration of someone who has left their mark in the world, while 40mm of yellow or Everose gold with diamond indexes and bezel says something totally different.
Even the bracelet choice speaks volumes. Now available on the Oyster band or with a leather strap, originally the fake Rolex Day-Date was launched with the specifically designed ‘President’s Bracelet’, from where it gained its unofficial nickname. Supremely flexible, the three precious metal links on the President’s band contain ceramic inserts to increase durability.
Legendary Company
Some Rolexes take a while to catch on with the watch buying public. The Daytona and Explorer II were both slow burners initially and took an association with notable Hollywood benefactors before they hit their stride.
The replica Oyster Perpetual Day-Date attracted an influential fan-base from the very beginning. From civil rights leaders to record-breaking athletes, it has always been the replica watch for those not accustomed to taking orders or asking permission.
In whichever of the bewildering number of configurations it comes in, and in which of the 26 languages available for the day of the week, the message it conveys is the same; it’s the quintessential Rolex for people who’ve made it.