The Rolex President Day-Date is no stranger to unusual dials, just check out the ‘Emoji’ launched this spring. However, these exotic takes on the ultimate dress watch are often so sought after or exclusive that getting your hands on one is almost impossible. Fortunately, a trio of Rolex President Day-Dates with unusual dials are available via watchcollecting.com
Rolex Day-Date 40 ‘Meteorite’ Ref. 228239
Meteorite dials have been popping up with increasing frequency in the watch industry lately with a greater number of brands utilising the space rocks with the cool striations. The pattern itself is called the Widmanstätten and is formed by the interplay of contrasting iron crystal structures when the meteorite was formed. The Rolex Day-Date 40 in white gold has been available with a meteorite dial since 2018 and this particular model dates back to 2019, making it one of the earlier examples.
The bright metallic surface of the meteorite compliments the high lustre of the 40mm case really well and the display is tied together by diamond indexes. On the preowned market they tend to feature prices in the region of £55,000 – £60,000 so an online auction is a great opportunity to pick one up at good value – Watch Collecting previously sold one for £42,000.
Rolex Day-Date 36 ‘Eisenkiesel’ Ref. 12823
While most people will be familiar with meteorite, Eisenkiesel is a much less known material. It’s also known a iron quartz because that’s essentially what it is, a crystal with particularly high iron content that gives it a reddish-brown colour. It also features a distinctive veined pattern that webs its way across the dial in a style that’s almost reminiscent of Japanese Kintsugi.
The rich brown of the Eisenkiesel works wonderfully with the rose gold case and matching Presidential bracelet. To learn more about Rolex bracelets, make sure to check out our complete guide. Beneath the golden exterior, the watch houses the Calibre 3255 with 70-hour power reserve.
Prices typically sit around £39,000 – £45,000 currently. While Watch Collecting haven’t sold this precise reference before, similar Day-Dates have sold around £27,000 although this reference is arguably more desirable.
Rolex Day-Date II ‘Blue Wave’ Ref. 218239
Taking things back by near on a full decade at this point we have the Rolex Day-Date II Blue Wave from 2014. 2014 was actually the final year of production for the Blue Wave Ref. 218239 making this one of the last examples of its kind to be made. It’s also one of the largest Day-Dates that Rolex have ever created at 41mm.
Then, of course, there’s the dial. This one is interesting because it’s not a stone or mineral that’s doing the heavy lifting but a crafted pattern of waves. It’s been made through a combination of techniques that starts with a relatively conventional sunray brushed blue dial giving it a shiny, metallic tint that is then decorated with black lacquer waves. The overall impression is impressive.
In terms of price, looking at the general preowned market would put it in the region of £36,000 – £42,000. But again, until the online auction goes live, it’s tricky to judge.
You can follow these lots and more at Watch Collecting.
