Rolex President

The Rolex President was first introduced in 1956 as the brand's new flagship watch collection. Officially titled the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, the model represented the next step in calendar wristwatches. The Rolex President was the world's first watch to display both the numerical date of the month and the day of the week, spelled out in full, through separate windows in the dial.

To celebrate the launch of the collection, Rolex created a new premium bracelet option exclusively for the Day-Date. Featuring rounded, three-piece links and exclusively crafted from either solid 18k gold or 950 platinum, this luxurious bracelet style is officially known as the President Bracelet, and is only available on Day-Date watches and certain precious metal versions of the mid-size and Lady-Datejust. Over the years, the President bracelet became so emblematic of the Day-Date collection, that the watch is most commonly known around the world simply as the Rolex President.

One of the most common pieces of incorrect information about the collection is that a vintage example was worn by World War II General and 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. However his watch was not actually a Rolex Day-Date at all, and was instead a solid gold Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet, that many people misidentified as a Rolex President in old photos.

Instead, it was actually the 36th U.S. President, Lyndon B. Johnson who famously wore a yellow gold Rolex President while in office, and ever since then, a Day-Date that features the exclusive President bracelet - sometimes referred to as El Presidente - has been simply known as the Rolex President, and can be spotted on the wrists of luminaries and dignitaries all around the world.

The current 2023 price for a classic 36mm yellow gold model costs $33,950 when purchased brand-new at retail. The cost of Rolex President watches increases from there, depending on case size, configuration, and materials. The least expensive President models are the 36mm versions, and as a general rule of thumb, white gold and Everose gold option cost more than their yellow gold counterparts. On the pre-owned market, used prices start at around $10k for older 36mm models in 18k yellow gold and then increases depending on the age and materials of the watch, along with its overall condition.

Rolex President Prices

While certain Rolex watch collections are only offered in one size and with a very limited number of options in regards to materials, dials, bezels, and bracelet styles, this model is among the most diverse, despite being exclusively offered in precious metals.

Despite the range of different materials and configurations, the overall design of the Rolex President has remained remarkably consistent throughout the years, and its timeless aesthetic and superlative construction have made it one of the finest luxury watches available in the entire world.

New Rolex President Prices

When buying a brand-new Rolex President, retail prices will be correlated with size and materials. The least expensive from the Day-Date collection has a retail price of $33,950 for the 36mm model in 18k yellow gold, while the Everose and white gold models have an entry-price of $35,850. The 40mm models start out at $36,850 for the yellow gold examples, while the 18k white gold and Everose gold models start out at $37,450. For both the 36mm and 40mm models, retail prices can increase well into the "price upon request" territory for the solid platinum models set with diamonds, where Rolex does not even list the official retail prices for these watches on its website.

Used Rolex President Prices

On the pre-owned market, used prices for this model often offer a significant savings when compared to the retail prices of brand-new models. Additionally, with the exception of exceptionally rare references or models fitted with unique and collectable dials, vintage examples typically sell for less than newer models on the secondary market. Prices for used President watches start our at just under $10,000 and increase from there depending on factors such as model, materials, age, configuration, and overall condition.

Rolex Lady-President Prices

Since Rolex's 'Lady-President' and 'Mid-Size President' watches are actually precious metal versions of the Datejust, they are powered by less complex movements than Rolex President watches from the Day-Date collection. While Day-Date President watches display both the date of the month and the day of the week, the mid-size and Lady-President models lack the additional day complication and just display the numerical date of the month like a standard Datejust. Due to the difference in functionality, prices for mid-size and Lady models are less expensive than their full size counterparts. Retail prices for Lady watches in this collection start at $26,250, while the mid-size models start at $33,950. Prices increase from there for both models depending on the materials of their construction and the different dial and bezel options.

Technically speaking, all Rolex Presidents are either Datejust or Day-Date watches, since the 'President' name actually only officially refers to a style of Rolex bracelet. While the collection shares a lot in common with a number of Rolex's other watches, it does boast a number of traits and features that serve as the defining elements of this universally-renowned statement piece.

Precious Metal Construction

With the exception of a few very old models and prototype pieces, all Rolex Day-Date watches are crafted exclusively from precious metals (either solid 18k gold or 950 platinum) and there has never been a Rolex President bracelet crafted from stainless steel. All three colors of gold (yellow, white, and pink) are available on for the Rolex President collection, along with solid platinum; and there are even Tridor models that use all three colors of gold on a single watch; however you will not find a Rolex President bracelet crafted from stainless steel or Rolesor (steel and gold).

Day And Date Displays

With the exception of the mid-size and Lady-President models, all Rolex President watches are characterized by their day and date displays. The numerical date of the month is displayed through a window at the 3 o'clock location, while the day of the week (available in a number of different languages) is spelled out in full through a window at the 12 o'clock location.

The Rolex Presidential Bracelet

The 'Rolex President' name actually only formally applies to the exclusive style of bracelet; however the name is used interchangeably with the Day-Date collection as a whole. Although Day-Date watches are available without the Rolex President bracelet, this iconic three-link bracelet has become entirely synonymous with the Rolex Day-Date collection.

Originally, the Rolex President was only offered with a 36mm case size; however a total of three different sizes have been used for Rolex Day-Date watches, with the Day-Date II and Day-Date 40 measuring 41mm and 40mm, respectively.

The Day-Date II was originally released in 2008, but by 2015, the Day-Date II had been discontinued, and replaced by the Day-Date 40. The Day-Date 40 has a case that measures 1mm smaller than its predecessor; however it retains the proportions of the original 36mm model, while the Day-Date II has a slightly chunkier aesthetic with its 41mm case.

Rolex President Sizes

• 36mm
• 40mm
• 41mm (discontinued)

Today, the Rolex President is available in 36mm and 40mm case sizes. Although Rolex does offer Lady President models, they are not actually Day-Date watches, but rather are precious metal versions of the ladies and mid-size Datejust watches, fitted with President bracelets.

Above all else, the case size of the watch is one of the largest factors in determining the price of a Rolex President. Generally speaking, the larger models are more expensive than the smaller ones, although certain factors like metal type and gem-set dials and bezels can often make a smaller Rolex President more expensive than a less-adorned larger model. Lady-President models are the least expensive, although since these watches are from the Datejust collection rather than the Day-Date, they do not have this models signature day complication. Additionally, many Rolex Day-Date 40 models sell for more than Day-Date II models, simply because these watches are newer than their 41mm predecessors.

Although the 'Rolex President' name is now synonymous with the flagship Day-Date collection, there are also Mid-Size and Lady-President watches that are actually precious metal versions of the Datejust collection. These watches do not have the Day-Date collection's signature display for the day of the week, as Rolex has never been offered the Day-Date in a size smaller than 36mm. However, these smaller watches are exclusively crafted from either solid 18k gold or 950 platinum, and are fitted with the brand's iconic President bracelet, which lends itself to their "Mid-Size President" and "Lady-President" nicknames.

Rolex Lady-President Watches

Rolex Lady-President watches have been available for much of the brand's history, and are still a popular choice among many female collectors that want the iconic look of the Rolex President in a smaller and more compact package. Originally, Rolex Lady-President watches had a case diameter of 26mm (the same as the Lady-Datejust); however Rolex has since discontinued the 26mm model and replaced it with a slightly larger model that has a 28mm case diameter.

Today, all modern Rolex Lady-President watches are technically Datejust 28 models in solid gold or platinum, and consequently have cases that measure 28mm in diameter. With that in mind, the 26mm version of the Rolex Lady-President is available across a number of different generations and references, and remains an incredibly popular choice among both first-time buyers and seasoned collectors.

Mid-Size Rolex President Watches

Just like the Lady-President, Rolex also offers a 'Mid-Size President' that is based on the Datejust collection. These mid-size models are exclusively crafted from precious metals. While the full-size models measure either 36mm or 40mm, and the Lady-President models have cases that measure either 26mm or 28mm, the mid-size Rolex President models have 31mm cases, splitting the difference between the Lady-President models and the full-size versions from the Day-Date collection. 

In the past, a platinum version of the mid-size Rolex President was available, and while platinum still remains an option for the Lady-President, it has since been discontinued for the 31mm mid-size models. Today, all Rolex Mid-Size President watches are crafted from 18k gold (either yellow, white, or Everose) and are available with a number of different dial and bezel styles.

Despite being exclusively offered in precious metals, a surprising range of diversity exists among Rolex President watches. While all Rolex President watches will be crafted from solid 18k gold or 950 platinum, buyers do have their choice between all three shades of gold (yellow, white, and Everose), along with a wide range of other options.

While the "President" name is synonymous with the Day-Date collection, the "Rolex President" name can actually apply to two different collections of Rolex watches (both the Datejust and Day-Date), and buyers of Rolex President watches will have a choice when it comes to case size, materials, dials, and bezels. 

Rolex President Sizes

Including all of the various mid-size and Lady-President models, the Rolex President can be found in the following case sizes: 26mm, 28mm, 31mm, 36mm, 40mm, and 41mm. All Rolex President watches 36mm or larger will be part of the Day-Date President collection, while all those smaller than 36mm are part of the Datejust collection. Although, the 26mm and 41mm Rolex President models have been discontinued, they are still available on the pre-owned market and remain incredibly popular options for collectors and enthusiasts.

Rolex President Materials

Although there are certain vintage Day-Date watches that are crafted from stainless steel, the Rolex President Bracelet - and thus all Rolex President watches - are exclusively offered in either solid 18k gold or 950 platinum. Despite this seemingly limited range of materials, Rolex President watches are available in all three colors of gold (yellow, white, and Everose), along with a small handful of solid platinum models. Additionally, while this option is no longer available on the current-production Rolex President watches, older models can be found with Rolex's unique Tridor finish, which combines all three colors of gold for a truly unique and luxurious take on the classic gold watch.

Rolex President Dials

Just like the standard Datejust and Day-Date collections, Rolex President watches are available with an extensive variety of different dials. In addition to a remarkably wide range of colors and surface finishing options, Rolex President dials can have a variety of different hour marker styles include Roman Numerals, diamonds (and other gemstones), Arabic Numerals, classic stick markers, and more. Additionally, some Rolex President dials are crafted from semi-precious stones and materials, such as onyx, lapis lazuli, opal, malachite, coral, burl wood, and meteorite. There are also the rare and collectable 'stella dials' that are found on older Rolex President watches, which feature brightly colored lacquer surfaces that are unlike anything else in Rolex's catalog.

Rolex President Bezels

Along with a wide range of dials, Rolex President watches can also be found with a number of different bezel style. Today, modern Rolex President watches are available with fluted, smooth, or gem-set bezels; however older references can be found with bezels that are adorned with unique patterns, such as bark texture, or Florentine finishing. Rolex fluted bezels are exclusively crafted from solid gold, so all platinum President models are fitted with either smooth/domed bezels or bezels that are set with diamonds or other precious gemstones. 

Who Wears A Rolex President?

The Rolex President is a popular choice among many world leaders and celebrities. For many, the Rolex President is the quintessential gold watch. The following people are some of its most well-known owners; however countless individuals around the world wear this iconic Rolex classic.

• U.S. President John F. Kennedy
• U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson
• Warren Buffet
• Jack Nicklaus
• Jay Z
• Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini)
• Justin Timberlake
• Travis Scott
• Jennifer Anniston

What Is A Rolex Presidential Watch?

A Rolex Presidential watch is a model from the Day-Date collection, equipped with a President-style bracelet. These watches are exclusively crafted from either solid 18k gold or platinum, and are the ultimate status symbol watch, instantly recognizable throughout the world. While the 'President' name officially only applies to the collections iconic bracelet, these days, the entire Day-Date collection is often known as the Rolex Presidential.

How To Remove Links From A Rolex President

Most Rolex President bracelets have links that are secured with small screws. To remove links from a Rolex President, simply unscrew the screws located on the sides of the links and pull the bracelet apart. Once the number of desired link have been removed, place a screw back together, locking it together and screw it back down to keep it secure.