All about the crown jewels with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 with diamonds
Revealing the radiance of diamonds with three new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36
“Even if your watch is full of diamonds, the hour is still 60 minutes,” says American author Robert Fulgham.
He is not wrong. When diamonds were introduced to watches in the early 1900s, it was a sign emblematic of wealth. The status was frank, and in fact the meaning doesn’t deviate any more than it does today. But your typical watch purveyor is now more educated rather than curious, and to own an extra shiny piece comes with a price paid for appreciation.
However, there’s no denying that setting one’s eyes on an 18 ct gold diamond-studded timepiece still takes your breath away — which is the case for the new Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 versions that were introduced by Rolex in this year’s new novelties.
Whilst assembling a Rolex goes through a good number of watchmakers’ hands to put it all together, it takes two expert jewellers for the finishing touches — a gemmologist for selecting the precious stones and a gem-setter to place them. This process demands precision that stems from generations of training, acquired through familiarization and practice.
In the new Day-Date 36, 450 diamonds are set on the dial alone, leaving just enough room for the day and date apertures, the watch’s name on gold appliques, and bold Roman numerals set in colorful enamel. Three new colors emerge in this collection, ranging from orange, turquoise, and burgundy. The monochromatic hues are anything but dull, with each model — in 18 ct yellow gold, white gold, and Everose gold respectively — fashioned in complementing alligator leather straps in accordance with the dial’s enamel colors.
The watch runs on the in-house Superlative Chronometer-certified calibre 3255, with two classic hands in 18 ct gold to gesture the hours and minutes. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3255 extends to approximately 70 hours. Reading the time on this one is fuss-free, but to embody this is certainly another.
Maybe Fulgham got it wrong. If your watch is full of diamonds, who’s looking at the time?