Rolex Day-Date Platinum, Now With Fluted Bezel

olex Day-Date Platinum with a Fluted Bezel

For the first time since 1956, the Rolex Day-Date in platinum is now available with a fluted bezel. The smooth domed bezel used to be the signature of the Platinum President, but now, it can be enjoyed with the geometric facets first seen on the Day-Date 40.

It might be a minor update, but in Rolex’s universe, even small adjustments make for major news. Let’s take a closer look at the new Rolex Day-Date 36 and 40 Platinum watches with fluted bezels.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236

 

The Fluted Bezel in Rolex History

It might be good to step back and explore the history of the fluted bezel to see why this is such a major move.

The fluted bezel, which is an exterior frame made of precious metal that surrounds the watch’s front crystal and has approximately 200 brilliant facets, has been present since the creation of the original Oyster case in 1926. This appeared on the first Rolex Datejust in 1945 as well as the first Rolex Day-Date in 1956 in its more adorning form.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 41 Blue Diamond Dial Platinum 218206 /  Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236
Rolex President Day-Date 41 Blue Diamond Dial Platinum 218206 /
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236

 

Over the past eight decades, fluted bezels have been fashioned exclusively of 18-carat gold. If you spotted a Rolex watch with a fluted bezel, you knew it was made of 18k yellow gold, white gold, or Everose gold. A steel and white gold Rolex Datejust, for example, can be identified from a pure steel one by its fluted bezel.

As opposed to this, Rolex watches’ platinum bezels have always been either domed, gem-set, or graduated with raised and polished numbers, as seen in the Yacht-Master‘s steel and platinum version.

 


 

The New Platinum Rolex Day-Date With Fluted Bezels

Here comes the news: the smooth bezel that has been found on platinum Rolex watches since the mid-1900s has been retired. The new Day-Date in 36mm and 40mm sizes is now available exclusively with either fluted or gem-set platinum bezels.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236

 

This caused a stir in the industry because, once again, the fluted bezel had previously only been available in 18-carat gold. For many Rolex fans, this design has become a symbol of the material. An ice blue dial and a smooth bezel hint at platinum for the Day-Date.

Collectors have a few questions though: how do we differentiate the platinum Day-Date versions from the white gold variants now? The fluted bezel on a white gold model is no longer distinguishable because the platinum version has a similar bezel. The weight and the somewhat more yellowish tone of a white gold case could be the main identifiers.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236 /  Rolex President Day-Date 40 Green Dial White Gold 228239
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236 /
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Green Dial White Gold 228239

 

Furthermore, why did it take Rolex so long to match its platinum Day-Dates with the others? The brand claims that producing geometric facets from platinum is highly difficult. Although it is flexible and soft, such material is also quite thick and readily absorbs heat. These make it hard to machine and polish. As a result, Rolex focused on polishing its in-house techniques to enable the production of a platinum fluted bezel.

 


 

Other Features of New Platinum Rolex Day-Date With Fluted Bezels

Aside from the changes mentioned above, the new platinum Day-Date features modern upgrades. It runs on the self-winding Caliber 3255, which offers a power reserve of 70 hours. The movement also includes a Chronergy escapement, which conveys energy to the balance more effectively than a typical Swiss lever thanks to an improved lever design.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Ice Blue Dial Platinum 228236

 

Both the 40mm and 36mm models are outfitted with a new 950 platinum President bracelet. This band has a concealed folding Crownclasp and ceramic inlays inside the links to increase its flexibility and longevity. Furthermore, a concealed attachment system guarantees that the bracelet and case are visually consistent.

 


 

The new Platinum Day-Date with a fluted bezel exudes an instantly recognizable style and reflects Rolex’s incredible watchmaking prowess. Explore our selection of Rolex Day-Date Platinum watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.

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Rolex President Day Date White Gold Blue Dial

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