A legendary timepiece with iconic history, the Rolex Day-Date has earned the title of the "Watch of Prestige", and for good reason. Unveiled in 1956, it swiftly became the preferred choice for athletes, visionaries, and global leaders, leading to its enduring moniker 'the President.' This nickname persists even today, as the watch continues to serve as Rolex's flagship offering with its luxurious construction and timeless design.
Constructed entirely of 18-carat yellow gold, this modern Day-Date Ref. 128238 that I have here features the iconic three-piece link "Presidential" bracelet and its signature 36mm case fitted with a beautiful fluted bezel. Made in the year 2021, what makes this particular example special is that this watch houses a rich green malachite dial with applied diamond-set Roman-styled hour markers.
When it comes to diamonds on watches, I frequently find that many brands tend to veer towards excess, utilizing an overzealous amount of diamonds that often can detract from the purity of the original design and disrupt the overall visual balance. However, I must admit that the combination showcased in this Ref. 128238 is truly exceptional—somehow, every element used in this reference just seems to work aesthetically.
To provide some context regarding the use of green malachite on its dial, malachite was initially mined primarily for the extraction of copper using a process called smelting, which involves applying heat and a chemical-reducing agent to the ore to extract the desired base metal product. However, its distinctive verdant green hue and captivating swirling band patterns soon made it a highly sought-after ornamental stone in the realms of jewellery-making and art. Interestingly, during the Italian Renaissance period, artist Pietro Perugino utilized finely ground malachite pigment to add vibrant green tones to the garments of worshippers in his renowned Natività painting, which is currently housed in the Church of Saint Francis in Montefalco, Peruggia. The malachite featured on the dial of our example showcases stunning and visually consistent swirling bands, achieved through the meticulous process of slicing and polishing a piece of malachite.
Moving on to its movement, powering this Ref. 128238 from within is Rolex’s in-house Cal. 3255, a self-winding, COSC-certified (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) movement. Introduced by Rolex in 2015 to replace the Cal. 3155 used in its Day-Date range, this movement continues to be utilized to this day. In terms of power reserve, the Cal. 3255 can hold a charge for up to 70 hours on a full wind.
This Ref. 128238 is a truly exceptional example of a Rolex Day-Date, it exudes extravagance in its design and is unafraid to flaunt it; the luxurious diamond-set numerals, paired with the resplendent yellow gold case and the vivid green malachite dial, create an unparalleled and tasteful ensemble. What makes this reference special as well is that it is an off-catalogue piece, meaning it is not advertised for sale and bought on request, making it exceptionally rare.
Ultimately, this Ref. 128238 would undoubtedly make an excellent addition to any discerning collector's collection. When it comes to a piece of this caliber, words often fall short of describing its beauty and the depth of its overall design. Instead, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
