Origin of the term Rolex "President" and its History...

[jake]

I was trying to figure out what the origin is of the term "Rolex President" or as some silly folks call it "Rolex El Presidente!!!"

Obviously most people are referring to the Rolex Day-Date model in Yellow Gold when they refer to the "Rolex President" but is the Day-Date the true origin of the name or did it come from the Yellow Gold Datejust??

I know President Dwight Eisenhower was the first American President to wear a Rolex as seen in the following images. (The photo of the Datejust with the Red Date was Eisenhower's actual watch)

This Yellow Gold Rolex Datejust was worn by President Eisenhower throughout his tenure in the White House. It was the 150,000th watch made by Rolex and was presented by Rolex to General Eisenhower, complete with initials “D.D.E”, five stars, and the date 1950 on the verso.

The Day-Date model was introduced by Rolex (model 6511) at Basel Fair in 1956 and instantly became Rolex' new Flagship model. This new model not only added the day spelled out but also a concealed clasp.

Supposedly Rolex gave a Day-Date to President Eisenhower to celebrate his re-election in 1956, but I have not seen any photos of him wearing it, althout the last image in this set does appear to have the thicker heft of the Day-Date.

Does anybody know more on this subject?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Nice pics, Jake!

JFK got this DD from Marilyn Monroe:


(Pic from my Photobucket).

[dkpw]

Does the DD come in 36mm and 40MM? I could only see 36mm on the Rolex website.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

You'd have to find the "Day-Date II" on the Rolex site. The new DD is 41 mm.

Basel pics from a German watch forum:





Personally, I like the bigger size, but I am not fond of the new broad bezels.

[dkpw]

Thanks Bo, I concur with your views. It's all academic anyway, as I do not have the funds to purchase an 18K solid gold watch. The do look stylish though, especially the cream dial with roman numerals.