The Day-Date, also known as Rolex’s “President” watch, was first presented at Basel in 1956. Since its inception, the beloved model has continued to evolve from classic designs through various colors, textures and artistic techniques.
The present watch, lovingly dubbed the "Godfather", is without a doubt a very powerful Day-Date. The dial features brilliant and baguette diamond-set numerals, set in white gold chatons as evidenced by the "Sigma" notation. In the early 1970s, Rolex introduced ‘dégradé’ dials that feature vibrant colors in the central portion that fade almost entirely to black along the outer edge. The dial displays a rare green colour which shows off the dégradé effect wonderfully, with the center green shade emanating outwards to a darker tone at the edge. Such effect can only be achieved with Rolex's superior use of lacquer. The round brilliant and baguette diamond-set hour markers are perfectly highlighted against the dial’s darker edge. Along the dial’s bottom edge at six o’clock features the sigma designations flanking “T SWISS T”, signifying the use of gold for the hour markers and hands. The watch is furthermore accompanied by a gold mesh bracelet made by Rolex, reference 7722, named the "Milano Rope Chain". The uncompromised condition of this watch is breathtaking, and was rightfully dubbed the "Godfather" in Pucci Papaleo’s "Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex" book, for its commanding presence on the wrist.