Basel 2015: Rolex Day-Date 40 and new Calibre 3255. At Baselworld 2015, Rolex unveiled its new Oyster Perpetual Day-date, one of the most prestigious and successful models of the Geneva brand. In particular, the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 features a streamlined design, a new size and, above all, a new mechanical movement, backed by 14 patents, which represents the new generation of Rolex movements.
At Baselworld 2015, Rolex unveiled a new edition of its Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, one of the most prestigious and successful models of the Geneva brand.
In particular, the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 features a streamlined design, a new size and, above all, a new mechanical movement which represents the new generation of Rolex movements.
In terms of design, we note refined lugs and middle case, a broad and clear dial and the return to the President bracelet - originally introduced for the Day-Date in 1956 - redesigned for a better integration into the Oyster case. Water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet, the new case has a diameter, as the name suggests, of 40 mm.
This year the new Day-Date 40 is presented in precious metals only: platinum (ref. 228206), yellow gold (ref. 228238), white gold (ref. 228239), or Everose gold (ref. 228235). While all gold references have fluted bezels, a smooth bezel characterises the platinum model.
The new references are available in a variety of new dials: ice blue with diagonal motif on sunray finish for the platinum, champagne with sunray finish for the yellow gold, silver with quadrant motif for the white gold and sundust with stripe motif on sunray finish for the Everose gold.
In particular, the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 features a streamlined design, a new size and, above all, a new mechanical movement which represents the new generation of Rolex movements.
In terms of design, we note refined lugs and middle case, a broad and clear dial and the return to the President bracelet - originally introduced for the Day-Date in 1956 - redesigned for a better integration into the Oyster case. Water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet, the new case has a diameter, as the name suggests, of 40 mm.
The new Day-Date is equipped with a new-generation movement, the 4Hz (28,800 vph) Calibre 3255. Backed by 14 patents and entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, the new calibre offers the highest level of performance ever achieved by Rolex. Certified as a Swiss chronometer by COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), it is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased to ensure that in everyday use it satisfies Rolex’s criteria for precision, which are twice as exacting as those for an officially certified chronometer.
More than 90 per cent of the movement parts have been redesigned and optimised, from those that produce and store energy (self-winding module and mainspring) to the regulating organ responsible for precision (oscillator), the gear train and the escapement.
The new movement incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement which, thanks to its geometry, improves the efficiency of this key component by 15 per cent. As an evident benefit, the power reserve extends to three days (approximately 70 hours), representing an increase of 24 hours (or 50 per cent) compared to that of the previous generation. Made of nickel-phosphorus, the Chronergy escapement is also insensitive to magnetic interference.
The President bracelet is now equipped with ceramic inserts inside the links, enhancing its suppleness and durability. A new concealed attachment beneath the bezel ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.
We expect that a steel version of the Rolex Day-Date 40 will be launched next year. rolex.com
More than 90 per cent of the movement parts have been redesigned and optimised, from those that produce and store energy (self-winding module and mainspring) to the regulating organ responsible for precision (oscillator), the gear train and the escapement.
The President bracelet is now equipped with ceramic inserts inside the links, enhancing its suppleness and durability. A new concealed attachment beneath the bezel ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.
We expect that a steel version of the Rolex Day-Date 40 will be launched next year. rolex.com
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