
Officially unveiled in 1956, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date was a major innovation at that time. It was functional, while retaining a strong sense of style and elegance.
It displays the day of the week spelt out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o’clock on the dial, in addition to the date. The Day-Date was a technical feat and has since established itself as an iconic timepiece.
Their simplicity and clarity belie the technical mastery required to ensure smooth operation. The day and date rely on two discs that turn both instantaneously and simultaneously through careful power distribution. It must be enough to activate both discs at the precise moment, but must also stop them in time so that they do not advance beyond the day.
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