Rolex Day Date "President" - History

The Rolex Day date watch (which also goes by Rolex President) was introduced in 1956, just a few years after the introduction of the Rolex Datejust which was the first watch to be able to display the numerical date. It has several features in common with the Rolex Datejust; the numerical date display is next to the 3 o’clock position, a cypclops lens provides magnification for the numerical date. The signature ability of this watch is the text display of the day of the week at the 12 o’clock position.

There are two possible reasons the Rolex Day Date became known as the “President”. Some suspect it is because of the bespoke bracelet that it was designed for it. Another possible reason for the name is because of Dwight Eisenhower (34th President of the United States), who received a Daydate from Rolex.

6511 was the first version of the Rolex Day Date President, which was soon replaced by the 6611 model which sported a new certification as a “Superlative Chronometer” as well as new movement.

Quick Set Feature

In 1972, the Rolex President was given the ability to stop the second hand when the button was pulled outwards; this was intended for the user to synch up the watch with other timepieces.  The “Quick Set” feature that was initially presented on the Rolex Datejust was also added to the Rolex President. The Day Date President line also received new sapphire crystals which made the surface more durable while being able to keep a more svelte profile. In the 90’s, Rolex would further augment the President by upgrading the “Quick Set” feature to a “Double Quick Set” which allowed both day and date to be changed. 

Rolex President Specifications

The Rolex Day Date President has been made in materials such as yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and platinum. Rolex introduced the Oyster Bracelet as an available option for the Day Date which is available in yellow gold, white gold, and pink gold. Originally the watch was certified to be water resistant up to 50 meters but contemporary examples of the Rolex President are guaranteed to be water resistant at 100 meters.