Welcome to our series highlighting the exceptional watches available through PERPETUAL, Phillips’ boutique service offering immediate access to the world’s rarest and most desirable timepieces. You can view all currently available watches by stopping in at our London headquarters at 30 Berkeley Square, or by visiting Phillips PERPETUAL online. Our new "Buy Now" button makes acquiring the watch of your dreams easier than ever.
– ˜By Logan Baker
Few watches signal success like a Rolex Day-Date on your wrist.
The Day-Date is the crown jewel of the Rolex catalog. Rolex doesn’t offer it in stainless steel, and it likely never will. That alone tells you where the Day-Date stands in the world of Rolex.
Introduced in 1956, the Day-Date was the world’s first watch to spell out the full day of the week on the dial, in your language of choice. It was Rolex’s answer to building a complicated watch that people could actually use every day, skipping moonphases and triple calendars in favor of a practical, reliable calendar layout that looked great in precious metal.
The Day-Date quickly climbed to the top. Presidents, world leaders, and cultural icons wore it, earning the nickname “The President” along the way. From the classic 36mm references with pie-pan dials to today’s modern 40mm iterations with improved movements and extended power reserves, the Day-Date has remained the most aspirational Rolex.
It’s easy to forget the Day-Date is where Rolex allows itself to experiment with color, texture, and design, whether in rare dials or new materials. It’s also a watch that’s remained versatile: the consistent 36mm or 40mm size fits just as well on a woman’s wrist as it does on a man’s, and the range of precious metals speaks to collectors and cultures around the world.
For this month's Perpetual Picks, we’re spotlighting three Day-Dates currently available through Phillips Perpetual:
A 2019 Rolex Day-Date 36mm Ref. 118399 in 18k White Gold with Lapis Lazuli Dial
Price: £57,500
Rolex’s hardstone dials stand among its most artistic expressions, and few are as prized as lapis lazuli. This ref. 118399 from 2019 features a deep blue lapis dial with a natural, swirling pattern that no two watches share. The dial features diamond hour markers, allowing the stone’s natural beauty to take center stage while maintaining perfect legibility.
Combined with the 36mm white-gold case and diamond-set bezel, this Day-Date carries a quiet power. It’s bold without shouting, offering a wearable piece of art that also happens to be one of the most functional watches Rolex makes. For collectors who want their Day-Date to stand apart while staying true to the model’s identity, this example delivers exactly that.
A 2022 Rolex Day-Date 40mm Ref. 228206 in Platinum with Olive-Green 'Eastern Arabic' Dial
Price: £75,000
This is modern Rolex Day-Date collecting at its most exciting. The 40mm platinum case carries weight, both literally and symbolically, while the ice-like sheen of platinum pairs seamlessly with the olive-green sunburst dial. What sets this watch apart are the Eastern Arabic numerals, which add depth, cultural significance, and rarity, as Rolex only produces these dials in very limited quantities for select markets.
It’s powered by Rolex’s caliber 3255 with the Chronergy escapement and 70-hour power reserve, offering the latest in Rolex engineering. This watch feels like the Day-Date at its most contemporary and cosmopolitan – a piece that shows how the Day-Date evolves while staying true to its identity as the crown’s top-of-the-line model.
A 2021 Rolex Day-Date 40mm Ref. 228235 in 18k Everose Gold with 'Eisenkiesel' Dial
Price: £49,500
Eisenkiesel is one of Rolex’s most captivating modern dial materials. The reddish-brown quartz dial, streaked with iron inclusions, gives each watch a one-of-a-kind natural pattern while pairing beautifully with the warm tones of Rolex’s Everose pink gold case and President bracelet. It’s an unexpected, earthy take on the Day-Date that feels contemporary and luxurious without shouting.
The Eisenkiesel dial adds depth and texture that feels distinctly modern, offering a reminder that the Day-Date is where Rolex allows itself to experiment and surprise collectors, all while maintaining the model’s heritage as a precious-metal daily companion.
Each of these watches represents a different chapter in the Day-Date's story, whether you’re drawn to the punch of a lapis lazuli dial, the clean lines of a platinum case, or the natural artistry of eisenkiesel. More than that, each Day-Date carries the same spirit Hans Wilsdorf envisioned: a watch to mark your achievements, to wear daily, and to last a lifetime.
These watches are all ready to be worn, enjoyed, and to mark the next chapter of your success.
You can learn more about the above models and view all the currently in-stock watches online at Phillips PERPETUAL.
Phillips PERPETUAL offers a boutique experience to clients for both the sale and purchase of fine and rare watches, in London’s Berkeley Square, Hong Kong's Pedder Arcade, and the Gstaad Palace, in Switzerland.
About Logan Baker
Logan has spent the past decade reporting on every aspect of the watch business. He joined Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo at the start of 2023 as the department's Senior Editorial Manager. He's based in Geneva.
Visit Phillips PERPETUAL /
30 Berkeley Square, London, United Kingdom, W1J 6EX (map)
Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 17:30 PM
Contact & Consignment Enquiries /
00 44 207 901 7916
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