There is no shortage of gold luxury watches on the market, and while some come from top industry brands such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Panerai, none are as universally recognizable as Rolex. While the brand has produced many all-gold watches, the replica Rolex Day-Date is easily the most iconic. Even if someone knows nothing about watches, chances are they have seen a Day-Date at some point in their life.
Often associated with power and success, the Rolex Day-Date has long been seen on the wrists of some of the world’s most famous men and women. It was launched in 1956 with two iconic features on the dial: the day of the week (in full) at 12 o’clock and an automatically changing date display at the 3-hour marker.
The Rolex President has always been presented in precious metals, of which yellow gold is the most common and memorable. However, it was also produced in white gold, rose gold (also known as Everose) and solid platinum, as well as the discontinued “Tridor” finish, which combined three colors of gold in a single watch.
In addition to the Day-Date’s signature dial, the watch is also known for its strap, officially called the “President” strap – hence the watch’s “Rolex President” nickname. Its design features a semi-circular, three-piece link and a concealed crown clasp, although some older versions featured a more traditional clasp design.
While both the Jubilee and Oyster bracelets are striking in their own right, the President is Rolex’s most premium bracelet option. This iconic bracelet design is so famous that it is known around the world as the imitation Rolex President, even though the watch is officially named the Oyster Perpetual Logitech.
If you are in the market for a famous vintage Day-Date without breaking the bank, then the Ref. 1803 is probably your best bet. It has the distinctive vintage aesthetic that many Rolex enthusiasts are looking for, with an acrylic crystal and an old-fashioned pie plate dial – a feature you won’t find in all the subsequent Day-Date collections.
