Rolex Day-Date II - 2008

[Tools]

TECHNICAL FEATURES:

CASE
The Day-Date II case is crafted from a block of 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold,
or platinum. With a diameter of 41 mm, it is comfortable to wear and aesthetically
pleasing. Fitted with a fluted or polished bezel, it is waterproof to a depth of 100
metres (330 feet).

MOVEMENT
The Day-Date II is equipped with the new calibre 3156, designed and manufactured
entirely by Rolex. It is fitted with new PARAFLEX shock absorbers as well as a
PARACHROM hairspring, extremely resistant to shocks and magnetic fields.
Certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute
(COSC), it has a power reserve of 48 hours.

Weight:
Gold - 220 grams
Platinum - 278 grams

DIAL
The Day-Date II features new dials, available with either traditional or more contemporary
designs.

BRACELET
For optimal comfort,the Day-Date II is equipped with a new Super-President
bracelet and a Crownclasp, the Rolex patented invisible clasp.


REFERENCE: 218206 – 83216
Platinum case
Polished bezel
Matt black dial with black Arabic numerals
Platinum case
Polished bezel
Ice-blue dial with Roman numerals

REFERENCE: 218238 – 83218
18 ct yellow gold case
Fluted bezel
Ivory dial with Arabic numbers

REFERENCE: 218235 – 83215
18 ct Everose gold case
Fluted bezel
Pink dial with Roman numerals

REFERENCE: 218239 – 83219
18 ct white gold case
Fluted bezel
Ivory dial with Roman numerals

Rolex has made a bold move with their new Day-Date flagship. The case size has been increased to a respectable 41mm, and a new movement has been announced:


The bracelet is 21mm at the lugs but narrows to the standard size near the ends, so retailers will only have to stock one size of spare link. The platinum bracelet also features ceramic tubes, inset into the links & the swivel pins run inside the tubes, making the bracelet more flexible and less inclined to the 'binding up' that Platinum is prone to.

From the Rolex BaselWorld Press Kit:
The Day-Date II stands out. In 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, and also in
platinum, this is a watch for the man who appreciates classical elegance and the
strength of innovation. The Day-Date II is the quintessence of Rolex’s savoir-faire.
This majestic watch has a 41 mm case and a movement with a PARACHROM
hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields. It is equipped with new
PARAFLEX shock absorbers. Both features contribute to the watch’s chronometric
precision and remarkable reliability.
To further enhance the strong identity of the Day-Date II, a new range of dials has
been introduced with a combination of contemporary and traditional designs. The
Super-President bracelet with a Crownclasp adds the final touch and offers the
level of comfort expected in such a watch.
The Day-Date II therefore continues the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date’s very long
heritage and exemplifies perfect mastery of the art of watchmaking.
When it appeared in 1956, the Day-Date was a ground-breaking innovation, as it
was the first watch to display the day of the week spelt out in full. It immediately
met with great acclaim becoming recognised around the world as the watch of
decision makers and influential personalities.
Today, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II opens a new chapter in a history ever dedicated to excellence and prestige.


__________________



DD II.jpg



Links:
The Rolex Day-Date II

[Harry_III_UK]

Is this comparison shot I made of any use?

If not - please delete!

N.B. because it is two pics joined it is not to scale, so not designed to show size difference - just design differences.



All the best,

Harry

[karwath]

the black dial with arabic in plat is stunning!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Harry_III_UK

Is this comparison shot I made of any use?

If not - please delete!

N.B. because it is two pics joined it is not to scale, so not designed to show size difference - just design differences.



All the best,

Harry

AFter seing them both in person Harry, what's your opinion of the DD II? it looks to me that the bezel might be too wide for the watch?

[Harry_III_UK]

Originally Posted by mailman

AFter seing them both in person Harry, what's your opinion of the DD II? it looks to me that the bezel might be too wide for the watch?

mailman - IMHO it is not just the width of the bezel - it is also the angle and finish of the bezel. It is not domed like the Day-Date and it has a mirror polished shine.

So - I just fear it will be a scratch magnet.

Then again, at the MSRP of the Day Date II in Platinum - I doubt it is a problem I will ever have personally :) :(

Harry

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Harry_III_UK

mailman - IMHO it is not just the width of the bezel - it is also the angle and finish of the bezel. It is not domed like the Day-Date and it has a mirror polished shine.

So - I just fear it will be a scratch magnet.

Then again, at the MSRP of the Day Date II in Platinum - I doubt it is a problem I will ever have personally :) :(

Harry

Thanks Harry

[08BMWM5]

I was just at my local AD, he saw my watch (WG DD W/Diamonds) and obviously jumped on me, seeing how i was only 21 i knew he wanted to test me out, and they always ask to see IDS to take out the DD which i was looking at. I asked him if it was 41mm and then he paused and said"No sir, only REAL Rolex are made in 36mm" I then laughed and said so then I said so these are not the DDII? he seemed puzzled, and pulled out the book and said the wont get them till November of 08, prolly even later. Where are these pics coming from? He then tried to sell me a Plat masterpiece with meteorite dial and diamond bezel, haha.

[Timber Loftis]

I think the blue one is incredible. Such a gorgeous watch.

[craig bayliss]

Originally Posted by Timber

I think the blue one is incredible. Such a gorgeous watch.

+ 1

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Timber

I think the blue one is incredible. Such a gorgeous watch.

+2
This is the ONE that has me worried I'll be parting with cash unless I can muster enough willpower. Would even flip one or two current ones to help.

[The GMT Master]

The new polished bezel looks remarkably similar to the one on the Milgauss....with that being a 41mm case too, perhaps Rolex are beginning to move away from the old domed polished bezel?

[ral]

I just noticed that the dial says Day-Date and not Day-Date II... does this mean that the Day-Date (36mm) will be discontinued?

[MassiveAttack]

wow. very HOT!

[TheDude]

I am so sick of waiting for some real wrist shots from a real owner... You mean no one here has one of these yet? :)

[James T]

a grail watch indeed

[chazha]

once I win the Euro Million jackpot Ill pop down to buy a DDII plat with blue dial/roman numerals!! that is for sure..

oh yeah.. and a sub II bluesy plat.. oh and a SS Datejust plus Breguets, AP, Patek and many more :-D

[Spare201]

Holy Crap, thae pic of the DD2 in PL with the glacier blue dial is stunning.

[ral]

The flagship of the new Day-Date II is the platinum Ref 218206 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II with a polished bezel and a Super President bracelet which has a manufacturers suggested retail price of US$51050.

Adding 8 round and 2 baguette diamonds on the dial brings the price up to $53550.

The Ref 218235 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II in 18k rose gold with a fluted bezel and a Super President bracelet has a MRSP of $30200. Adding 8 round and 2 baguette diamonds on the dial will set you back $32700.

The 18k white gold model of the Day-Date II (Ref 218239) is priced the same as the rose gold model.

Priced a bit lower is the 18k yellow gold Ref 218238 with a MSRP of $27650.
Adding 8 round and 2 baguette diamonds on the dial $30150.

All the gold models are only available with fluted bezels.

[SUPERDOC]

I wonder why the face doesn't say 'Day-Date II'

I'm still on the fence... the classic 36mm is so elegant.

41mm is very big for a dress watch... I have a 41mm aqua terra, and it is a big chunk of metal...

everyone is making a big deal about the deepsea, when that is only a 3mm increase in diametre...this one jumps up 5mm, and no one has batted an eye...

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by SUPERDOC

...this one jumps up 5mm, and no one has batted an eye...

That's 'cause most of us were waiting for such a jump. Of course, this is in anticipation that some day Rolex will decide to pump up the DJ from 36 to 41 mm......and that'll be the day to really celebrate.

JJ

[ral]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

That's 'cause most of us were waiting for such a jump. Of course, this is in anticipation that some day Rolex will decide to pump up the DJ from 36 to 41 mm......and that'll be the day to really celebrate.

JJ

I am kind of hoping the Datejust makes a move to 38mm or 39mm, but I guess it will follow the proportions of the Day Date.

[chicagowatchman]

Originally Posted by SUPERDOC

I wonder why the face doesn't say 'Day-Date II'

I think the reason is they are still useing the 36mm dials....they should have made the dial larger and the bezel smaller

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by chicagowatchman

I think the reason is they are still useing the 36mm dials....they should have made the dial larger and the bezel smaller

How can a 36 mm dial fit into a 41 mm watch?

The dials are new, compatible with the larger case.

JJ

[ral]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

How can a 36 mm dial fit into a 41 mm watch?

The dials are new, compatible with the larger case.

JJ

The dial is new and a bit larger. If they had used the same dial, it proportions would have looked more like a Daytona. They also have larger dials on the Milgauss so they could easily make one for the Day Date II.

But it is a Day-Date gents, which will eventually see that dial studded by diamonds. I think Rolex wanted a little more space for that.

[ral]

Originally Posted by SUPERDOC

I wonder why the face doesn't say 'Day-Date II'

I'm still on the fence... the classic 36mm is so elegant.

41mm is very big for a dress watch... I have a 41mm aqua terra, and it is a big chunk of metal...

everyone is making a big deal about the deepsea, when that is only a 3mm increase in diametre...this one jumps up 5mm, and no one has batted an eye...

I do not think it is the 43mm case diameter of the Deepsea that cause people to take note... it was the 18mm case thickness.

platinum too pricey for me...

Unfortunately that is true for me, and a lot of us I suspect.

270g or so... how in his right mind would wear a watch like that and look at the size of that bezel... Rolex taking designs ques from Rado?

Sigh... it does not help... it is still growing on me

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by ral

I do not think it is the 43mm case diameter of the Deepsea that cause people to take note... it was the 18mm case thickness.

Correct!! The width of 43 mm is pretty acceptable to most. The thickness may not be everyone's cuppa!!

JJ

[Burley1]

I have a deep sea and it is tough to get used to the 18mm thickness for sure. kinda tough wearing it with a dress shirt.

I guess I need to wear the TT sub for that.

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Correct!! The width of 43 mm is pretty acceptable to most. The thickness may not be everyone's cuppa!!

JJ

[tbinaz]

I thought I would add this to the gallery

[casper370z]

what kind of discount can we see from AD?

[cousie]

Bought an everose DDII one week ago, just one word for it: fantastic!