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Released in 1956, the Day-Date Presidential was the first watch to display the date and day of the week in a window on the dial. Initially only available in 18k gold or platinum, the Day-Date is now available in a variety of precious metals, case sizes and bracelet styles including the famous President bracelet. 2020 update: suggested retail prices start at $33,150 and increase depending on size and options. Browse additional models on our used Rolex watches page.
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Rolex President History Prices for the President Key Features Midsize & Ladies Models Questions
Bob's Watches proudly presents the industry's very best selection of pre-owned Rolex Day-Date President watches. All watches are in-stock and ready for immediate sale, including our collection of mid-size and Ladies Rolex President models. There is no other timepiece that exudes the same class and sophistication as the Rolex Presidential and these iconic luxury watches are instantly recognizable all around the world as items that are synonymous with wealth, success, and personal accomplishment.
Simply known throughout the world as the Rolex President, the Day-Date has been a constant presence in the Rolex catalog since it was first introduced. For more than a quarter century, the Rolex President has been the world's most iconic gold watch, and to this day, the Rolex President remains the quintessential statement piece, instantly recognizable all around the globe and synonymous with success and personal accomplishment.
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 classic 36mm yellow gold model costs $33,150 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.
| Model | Retail Price | Second-Hand Price | Size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ref. 128238 | 33,150 USD | from $29,325 | 36mm | Yellow Gold + Diamonds |
| Ref. 128348RBR | 49,250 USD | from $41,500 | 36mm | Yellow Gold + Diamonds |
| Ref. 228238 | 36,550 USD | from $29,995 | 40mm | Yellow Gold |
| Ref. 128239 | 38,850 USD | from $28,250 | 36mm | White Gold + Diamonds |
| Ref. 128349RBR | 51,950 USD | from $34,875 | 36mm | White Gold + Diamonds |
| Ref. 228239 | 39,250 USD | from $29,200 | 40mm | White Gold |
| Ref. 128235 | 38,850 USD | from $32,650 | 36mm | Everose Gold + Diamonds |
| Ref. 128345RBR | 51,950 USD | from $43,950 | 36mm | Everose Gold + Diamonds |
| Ref. 228235 | 39,250 USD | from $28,495 | 40mm | Everose Gold |
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Copyright Bob's Watches. All rights reserved. Bob's Watches is not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or any of its subsidiaries.
Bob's Watches is an independent watch dealer and is not sponsored by, associated with and/or affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or any other brand listed on its website. Bob's Watches only sells pre-owned watches and provides its own warranties on the watches it sells. The brand names and associated model names for Rolex, OMEGA and other manufacturers are the trademarks of their respective owners.
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