Day-Date (President)
The Rolex Day-Date, colloquially known as the President, is the pinnacle of the Rolex lineup and the only watch in the collection made exclusively in precious metals — yellow, white, or Everose gold and platinum. Introduced in 1956, it was the first wristwatch to display the day of the week spelled out in full at 12 o'clock, paired with the date at 3 o'clock beneath a Cyclops lens. The iconic President bracelet, developed specifically for this model, became so associated with power and status that the watch itself inherited the nickname. Pre-owned Day-Date references span an extraordinary range of dial materials — aventurine, onyx, meteorite, turquoise, and hand-engraved lacquer — as well as bezel options including diamond-set, fluted, smooth, and diamond-baguette configurations. The 36 mm ref. 18038, 18238, and 118238 and the 41 mm Day-Date 40 ref. 228238 are among the most sought references on the secondary market. Presidential ownership history — from Dwight Eisenhower to contemporary heads of state — adds a layer of cultural weight unmatched by any other watch. DeMesy & Co. has sourced and authenticated pre-owned Day-Date President watches in Dallas since 1987.
