Review: Factory-Set Diamond Rolex Day-Date 36 Ice Blue Dial ref 118346
Presenting a review of the Rolex Day Date 36 reference 118346: This Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date 36mm President watch has a bezel factory set with 52 diamonds, an ice blue dial with 8 round and 2 baguette diamond hour markers, and a 3rd generation president bracelet…
Rolex states it best, “the Day Date is the ultimate watch of prestige”, and the 36mm Day Date is the most classic of them all.
This watch is for sale now at Diamonds by Raymond Lee. Please contact us for pricing and availability.
Before we review the Rolex Day Date 36 118346, let us briefly discuss the Day Date line as a whole.
The Rolex Day Date
The Rolex Day Date is one of the most iconic, identifiable and sought after models that Rolex has ever produced.
The Day Date made its debut in 1956, and it was a major worldwide innovation for the watch industry. It was the first calendar wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week (spelled out in full in an arc-shaped window at the 12 o’clock). It was an extremely impressive technical feat at the time and something people still talk about to this day. Moreover, it is still a feature used in all Rolex Day Date watches…
What’s more, the Day Date is also the watch that the President bracelet was specially created for, which is why it was coined The Rolex President.
Day Date watches are synonymous with “prestige” and it has become a status symbol for elite professionals and watch connoisseurs alike.
It has been worn (and is worn) by many world leaders and influential people across the globe…
From Presidents and CEOs to actors and sports professionals, the Day Date is always a top choice.
The Day Date has always epitomized prestigiousness and exclusivity.
Day Date watches exude class and luxury. They are only produced in precious materials – 950 platinum or 18 ct gold.
Furthermore, many, but not all, Day Date watches feature diamond set bezels and diamond hour markers.
Overall, it is an exquisite and classic dress watch that will always remain the symbol of Rolex.
History of Day Date:
Here is a quick timeline of the different Day Date models:
- Late 1950s to Late 1970s: Rolex Day Date ref. 180x (classic 36mm Oyster Case and President Bracelet).
- Late 1970s to Late 1980s: Rolex Day Date ref. 180xx (classic 36mm Oyster Case and President Bracelet, with a brand new movement calibre 3055).
- Late 1970s to Early 2000s: Rolex Oysterquartz Day Date (Yes, the Day Date was produced with a Quartz movement! The case was a 36mm Oysterquartz case and the President bracelet was designed uniquely).
- Late 1980s to Late 1990s: Rolex Day Date ref. 182xx (36mm Oyster Case and President Bracelet, with a brand new movement calibre 3155).
- 2000 to Present: Rolex Day-Date ref. 118xxx (Day Date 36! The watch in this ‘Rolex Day Date 118346 review’ is part of this series).
- 2008 to 2015: Rolex Day Date II (fist time using a 41mm Oyster case! It’s a modern version of the Day Date, made for those who appreciate larger men’s watches. Also, it uses a calibre 3156 automatic movement).
- 2015 to Present: Day Date 40 (first time using a 40mm Oyster case. This Day Date features a new generation movement, the Calibre 3255. It has a much longer power reserve of 72 hours and an improved accuracy rating of -2/+2 seconds per day).
So, as you can see, the Rolex Day Date has over six decades of massively successful history.
Rolex 118346 Review
Now that we have a little background on the Day Date line, let’s review this specific Rolex Day Date, reference 118346.
Platinum
The Rolex 118346 is among the most luxurious of all Day-Date watches, and that is saying a lot for an opulent line of dress watches with over six decades of history.
This Day-Date 36 is all about stunning looks and lavish material…But this fact isn’t based just on the plethora of brilliant diamonds…it is also because it’s crafted entirely from PLATINUM.
As we all know, platinum is extremely rare and precious, and it is supremely striking with its silvery whiteness and vibrant effulgence.
Platinum is highly commended for its unique chemical and physical properties. When its put into jewelry or watch form, people can be completely confident in its ability to resist corrosion and damage.
It is recognized for being one of the densest and heaviest metals in the world.
Paradoxically, platinum is soft, elastic and very malleable, so machining and polishing it is considerably challenging, which is why Rolex employs only the best of the best watchmakers, with the utmost degree of skill.
What kind of Platinum does Rolex use?
Rolex uses 950 platinum, which is an alloy consisting of 950‰ (thousandths) platinum. Their alloy is meticulously crafted in house by the fine metalworking geniuses at Rolex. So, you already know this platinum alloy is of the highest quality in the world.
All in all, Rolex’s platinum is the noblest metal for the finest luxury watches.
The President
The widespread nomenclature for all Rolex Day Date watches being called “The President” is actually fallacious.
In fact, only certain Day Date watches are truly Rolex Presidents.
To be a Rolex President, the Day Date watch must use a President bracelet…
And this Day Date 36 is indeed a Rolex President…
President Bracelet
The President bracelet was designed specially for the Day Date’s launch in 1956.
It has semi-circular three piece links, which is the same design used in the original Oyster Perpetual Day-Date back in 1956.
To design, develop and produce the President bracelet and clasp, Rolex uses advanced high technology.
However, as with all elements of Rolex watches, human eye controls the aesthetics.
The combination of high tech and scrupulous human touch makes for an impeccably beautiful bracelet worthy of the name “President”.
And with it being crafted from Rolex’s platinum, this bracelet represents the elite in refinement, comfort, and luxury.
The 36mm Oyster Case
The platinum Oyster case is 36mm in diameter (not including the crown), hence the name Day Date 36.
It wears like a classic 36mm should, so although it is a men’s watch, it would also look great on a woman…
Careful fellas, you might be sharing this one with your lady.
The Oyster case is sublimely special as it is the paragon of robustness and style. It makes its presence immediately known through its iconic structure and immense elegance…
It is a case that is a household name, yet only those with deep enough pockets can actually enjoy it on their wrist.
And finally, although this is a dress watch, thanks to the Oyster case and twinlock winding crown, the Day Date 36 guarantees 100 meters of water resistance.
Does it get any better? We think not.
The Factory-Set Diamond Bezel
The Day Date 36 has the classic round bezel that everyone knows and loves. The only difference for this particular model, reference 118346, is the platinum bezel is factory set with 52 round brilliant diamonds.
Of course, this isn’t the only Day Date to utilize diamonds in the bezel, but the way it is done here makes it one of our favorites. The platinum case and bracelet and the ice blue dial creates a gorgeous, subtle, tonal contrast that we go absolutely gaga over. It’s simply stunning.
Moreover, often times a diamond bezel can give a slightly feminine feel to a men’s watch, but the way it looks on the Day Date 36 is undeniably beautiful yet perfectly masculine.
The Day Date Ice Blue Dial
The ice blue dial is one of the most captivating features of this watch, which is no easy feat with all the incredible attributes this watch contains.
The dial has a distinctive face that instantly is recognized as “Day Date”.
The Day Date 36, and Day Date watches in general, have a strong identity and they are flawlessly legible. There is absolutely no clutter, and only essential precious elements are included.
Rolex Day Date 118346 is characterized by hour markers fashioned from round brilliant diamonds, with the 6 and the 9 being baguette step cut diamonds.
Its trademark is, of course, the Day Display at the 12 o’clock. The Rolex Day Date was the first watch in history to display the day of the week this way.
Naturally, there is also a date display window at the 3 o’clock.
This combination of day and date display is the reason for the name Day-Date. It is nothing to romanticize, the name is straightforward and simple…yet the actual features are historical in the world of horology…
To touch on the color, the ice blue satin finished dial, which was manufactured in-house and by hand, is utterly gorgeous. It goes marvelously with the diamonds and the platinum, ultimately creating a supremely charming monochromatic look.
So, if you like to be icy, the platinum factory set diamond Rolex Day Date 36 118346 with an ice blue dial is for you.
Calibre 3155 Movement
Developed and manufactured entirely by Rolex, the Day Date 36 reference 118346 is equipped with a calibre 3155 movement.
It features a day and date calendar disc mechanism. Furthermore, it contains 31 jewels and has 48 hours of power reserve with a frequency of 28,800 vph.
As with all Rolex Perpetual movements, the calibre 3155 is a Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing), which is an appointed certification reserved for high precision watches that effectively pass the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests.
Its structure, in relation to all Oyster watch movements, guarantees it remarkably reliable.
What’s more, the Calibre 3155 movement was the first movement to introduce the Double Quick Set function. The Quick Set allows for rapid setting of both the day and date by simply turning the crown clockwise or counter-clockwise while in position 2.
Owning a Rolex Day Date
By owning a Rolex Day Date, you will instantly enter into a world of unlimited possibilities. You will be part of a league that consists of world leaders, CEOs and entrepreneurs, actors, music stars, pro athletes, and elite professionals.
A Rolex Day Date will always be cherished. It transcends its incredibly precious materials and intrinsic value with unequivocal personal meaning. It’s a watch that represents a milestone of success, an heirloom, an invaluable gift. A Day Date immediately becomes an emotional symbol that bestirs extraordinary moments.
Want this factory diamond Rolex Day Date 36 ice blue dial?
This factory diamond Rolex “President” ice blue dial Day Date is for sale now at Diamonds by Raymond Lee. It is in excellent condition and it comes with the original Rolex papers and box. Please contact us for pricing and availability.
Let us know what your favorite Day Date reference is in the comments below!