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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
Lifestyle

Timeless classics

White Rolesor version of the new Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31, whose floral motif on the dial is inspired by wild summer meadows. (Photo © Rolex / JVA Studios)

The timeless Oyster Perpetual Datejust and Oyster Perpetual Day-Date are among Rolex's iconic watches.

The classics have been reinterpreted with a shimmering floral motif or a splash of colour on the dials, bursting with fresh energy and full of promise.

Launched in 1945, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o'clock.

After the original created for men, various feminine models became available in the following decades.

Three new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 bloom with the floral motif inspired by wild summer meadows.

18ct yellow gold and Everose Rolesor versions of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 with diamond-set bezels framing the olive green or silver dial. (Photos © Rolex)

The pattern comprises 24 flowers that stand out distinctly from one another thanks to their finishes -- either sunray, matte or grained.

Each flower is lit from within by a diamond set into the centre.

The mesmerising floral motif is in azzurro blue on the face of the white Rolesor version fitted with a fluted bezel.

The flowers are respectively in olive green and silver on the dial of the 18ct yellow gold and Everose Rolesor variations, whose bezel is set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds.

A signature feature since 1933, the Rolesor is the combination of gold and Oystersteel. The precious metal appeals with its lustre and stability while the Oystersteel is highly resistant to corrosion, assuring strength and reliability.

For instance, on the Everose Rolesor version, the bezel, winding crown and centre links of the bracelet are in Everose gold, while the case and outer links of the bracelet are in Oystersteel.

Waterproof to a depth of 100m, the 31mm Oyster case provides protection for calibre 2236, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.

The movement is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor and offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours.

The original Oyster Perpetual Datejust featured the supple five-piece link Jubilee bracelet that has been matched with the new Everose Rolesor watch.

The white Rolesor model is fitted with the three-piece link Oyster bracelet, developed at the end of the 1930s.

The version in 18ct yellow gold is paired with the President bracelet, created specially for the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, launched in 1956.

The three-piece link bracelet, made only from 18ct gold or 950 platinum, is still reserved exclusively for the Day-Date and precious metal versions of the Datejust.

Equipped with calibre 3255, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 950 platinum boasts a soothing ice-blue dial. (Photo © Rolex / JVA Studios Photo / Alain Costa)

Rolex engineered the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date as the first calendar wristwatch to indicate, in addition to the date, the day of the week spelled out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o'clock on the dial.

The day of the week is available in a choice of 26 languages. Watches in the Day-Date range are made only of precious metals -- 18ct yellow, white or Everose gold, or 950 platinum.

Boasting an ice blue dial, the new Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 is housed in a 950 platinum case, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100m.

The fluted bezel, previously only made in 18ct gold, is also in the prestigious and luminous platinum, which is challenging to work with, especially when carrying out finishing.

Rolex therefore came up with an innovative manufacturing process for creating the fluted bezel in 950 platinum, which was a technical feat to achieve the perfect shape and sparkling surfaces.

The new version of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 is equipped with calibre 3255, an in-house developed and manufactured movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the hours, minutes, seconds, day and date.

The movement is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement's superior efficiency, the power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.

The self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, while delivering outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.

Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 and Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 carry the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist, along with an international five-year guarantee.

This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand's workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.

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