From SwissWatchExpo… Spotlight on: the Rolex Sky-Dweller, and the
Rolex Day-Date. What’s the difference between these Rolex dress watches?
Rolex has a wide range of watches, with models that suit specific needs. Once in a while
however, you’ll still find yourself stumped, when choosing between two seemingly similar
Rolex watches.
With round Oyster cases, fluted gold bezels, three-link bracelets, and calendar features,
the Rolex Day-Date and Rolex Sky-Dweller, represent the brand’s high-end dress watch
spectrum.
They share many design details, but are completely different. Check out our quick guide to see
what they each have to offer.
The Rolex President Day-Date has a longer history. Introduced in 1956, it is considered
the brand’s flagship watch, and a symbol of status and success.
The Day-Date is easily recognizable among a sea of watches.
One only has to look at the 12 o’clock position to see the day of the week spelled out completely,
and you can be certain that it’s a Day-Date.
Along with this unique dial layout, a special semi-circular, three-link bracelet called
the President was also made especially for the model.
The watch itself has become known as the Rolex President, due to the array of US Presidents
who have worn it -- most notably Lyndon B. Johnson, who sported a Day-Date while he was in office.
With its classic good looks and history, the Rolex Day-Date has retained its prestige and reputation
until today, 60 years after its launch.
Meanwhile, the Sky-Dweller is Rolex’s newest model. Introduced in 2012, it was the
brand’s first completely new model in 20 years, after the Yacht-Master’s launch in
1992.
The Sky-Dweller has no historical ties to existing Rolex watches, but many have been
quick to point out its similarities to the Rolex Day-Date.
Designed with frequent travelers in mind, it combines a calendar, annual calendar and
GMT function in just one watch.
As a new model with advanced complications, the Sky-Dweller was sure welcomed with plenty
of buzz.
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The Rolex Day-Date has more variety than the Sky-Dweller – with more metals, dial and
bezel designs, and even sizes to choose from.
The Day-Date is available in the traditional 36 millimeter case, the transitional Day-Date
Two 41 millimeter case, and the current 40 millimeter Day-Date Forty.
In the early 2000s, Rolex also released a special collection of the Day-Date called
the Masterpiece. Now discontinued, it sports a 39 millimeter case and a five-link Pearlmaster
bracelet. As the ultimate prestige watch of the brand,
the Day-Date is only offered in platinum, and in solid yellow, white and Everose gold.
Over the years, there have also been many variations in the dial, bezel, and bracelet
design – such as fluted, smooth dome, gem and diamond set bezels; as well as metal,
wood, and diamond pave dials.
Meanwhile, the Rolex Sky-Dweller is offered exclusively in a 42 millimeter case, and only
has fluted bezels. It’s available in Everose and yellow gold, as well as Rolesor steel
and gold variations.
While both the Day-Date and Sky-Dweller are calendar watches, the latter is significantly
more complicated – in fact, it’s the most complicated watch in the Rolex line up today.
While the Day-Date tells the time, date, and day of the week, the Sky-Dweller has GMT and
dual time zone complications, and annual calendar features.
This means it can simultaneously show the local time, a second time zone, the month,
and the date.
The Sky-Dweller will also automatically indicate the correct date, whether there are 30, or
31 days in the month.
If your objective is to get an ultra prestigious dress watch, you can’t go wrong with either
the Rolex Day-Date or the Sky-Dweller.
For a traditional dress watch in 36 or 40 millimeter sizes, go for the Day-Date.
For a larger timepiece with GMT and annual calendar capabilities, go for the Sky-Dweller.
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