Initially, the name “President” referred only to the Day-Date’s bracelet; however, due to their intertwined and inseparable relationship, Rolex started referring to the watch itself as the “Rolex President Day-Date Chronometer” in the 1980s. The official use of the name “President” was short-lived, and Rolex has since reverted to calling the watch the Day-Date; however, the name “President” persisted and became a commonly used term in Rolex collecting circles and elsewhere.
As with most modern Patek Philippe watches, the back is equipped with a sapphire crystal, allowing a clear view of the movement inside. In this case, the engine is the automatic caliber 315/198, which provides the user with a power reserve of about 40-45 hours. In 2005, Patek Philippe replaced the Ref. 5035 with the Annual Calendar ref. 5146. With the introduction of the second generation of the Annual Calendar, Patek Philippe brought a large number of changes.
To begin with, the case size was expanded to 39 mm – more in line with the market demand for larger men’s watches. However, the 5146 is also available in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum. However, in addition to the leather strap option, Patek Philippe now offers all three yellow gold versions with full gold links.
Apart from the design changes, the Annual Calendar ref. 5146 also offers additional displays on the dial. In addition to the time, date, day and month, Patek Philippe’s annual calendar models now feature a moon phase display and a power reserve indicator. The luminescent Roman numerals that filled the old model have been replaced by a mixture of Arabic and faceted indices, along with small luminescent episodes on the outside of the railroad minute track. In contrast, the platinum version has only faceted indices and no hour-marked numerals at all.
As far as the movement is concerned, the early annual calendar ref. 5146 used the caliber 315/299, which operated at 21,600 vibrations per hour. 5146 watches are also equipped with a sapphire caseback, and those with the latest movements provide the user with a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. If you have an annual calendar watch, be it a Patek Philippe Annual Calendar, Rolex Sky-Dweller, or any other model, don’t forget to adjust it on March 1.
Today we are going to take a better understanding at the Rolex President bracelet. Many of you know Rolex’s Day-Date line of watches only as the Rolex President. While the name “President” actually only applies to the semi-circular, three-piece link bracelet designed specifically for the Rolex Day-Date line of watches, the name “Rolex President” has probably become the most commonly used nickname in the Rolex world.
Just as the Jubilee bracelet was designed particularly for the Datejust collection, the President bracelet was designed specifically for the launch of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date in 1956. Since its introduction, the President bracelet has been available only for the Day-Date and certain precious metal versions of the Lady Datejust, and is made only in 18-carat gold or platinum. In addition, except for the initial version, the President bracelet has always been fitted with Rolex’s Crownclasp – a concealed clasp design that creates a seamless effect across the strap.
Visually, the President bracelet is a hybrid of the Oyster bracelet and the Jubilee bracelet. Instead of flat links like the Oyster strap, the President strap features semi-circular links (also with a three-piece link design) that echo the shape of the Jubilee strap. The rounded outer surface allows the highly polished center link to catch the surrounding light, creating a more tasteful and elegant look than the flat surface of the Oyster bracelet.
While similar in style to replica Rolex Sky-Dweller‘s other two iconic bracelets, the President bracelet has a distinctive and recognizable design that is often copied by other brands throughout the industry.
In 1965, nearly a decade after its introduction, Rolex’s President’s Bracelet officially received its now legendary name. At the time, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson wore the Rolex Day-Date in yellow gold, and in tribute to his choice of timepiece and the watch’s exclusive use of the precious metal, the watch was referred to as the “President’s Watch” in an American magazine advertisement.