Rolex Day-Date

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is a COSC certified, self-winding chronometer manufactured by Rolex. Initially presented in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to display the date as well as the day, spelled in full.[1] The calendar display is offered in 26 languages.[2]

A yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

The Day-Date is one of Rolex's models made only in solid 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold, 18k everose gold (Rolex's version of 18k rose gold), and platinum (PT950).[3]

Rolex Stella

A variant of the Day-Date called the "Lacquered Stella" (now more commonly known as "Stella") was introduced to Middle Eastern and Asian markets in the 1970s.[4] The Stella featured vivid, bright color dials[5] and was rumored to be named after the American painter Frank Stella.[6] A gold with yellow lacquered Stella sold at Christie's for $131,250 in 2019.[7]

As of 2020, Rolex offers two sizes of the Rolex Day-Date: 40 mm and 36 mm.[8]

Eleven different Rolex Stella watches with different colorful, lacquered enamel dials.

Like the Rolex Day-Date, the Stella dial features the date and the day, spelled in full, but unlike the standard edition Day-Date which traditionally features dial colors in black, gold, or silver, the Stella features dial colors in red, orange, oxblood, blue, green, turquoise, peach, salmon, pink, yellow, or purple.[9][10]

History

Originally introduced in the 1970s, the Stella dial was considered unpopular due to the vibrancy of colors,[11] as Rolex buyers preferred the more conservative Day-Date dials, like white, black, and silver.[12]

Due to a limited production[13] and the possibility Rolex destroyed several Stella pieces due to lack of commercial success,[11] the Stella has become popular among vintage watch collectors[14] and is considered to be an inspiration to newer Rolex models with vividly colored dials.[15]

The Stella model with 18k gold and yellow lacquered dial is considered one of the rarest, with one selling at Christie's for US$131,250 in 2019,[16] with another selling for 275,000 Swiss Francs (approximately US$300,000) at Phillips.[17] Other models with different dial color and band combinations have been sold for over CHF50,000.[18]

In 2013, Rolex released a new Day-Date with vividly colored leather straps and matching colored dials[19] that Rolex enthusiasts also dubbed "Stella."[20][21]

In September 2020, Rolex introduced five new Oyster Perpetual watches featuring bright, vibrant colored, enamel lacquered dials like the original Stella from the 1970s.[22][23]

References
  1. http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watches/day-date/days Archived 3 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. https://www.indonesiatatler.com/watches-jewellery/watches/reality-of-time-rolex-s-oyster-perpetual-day-date-40
  3. http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watches/day-date/prestigious-materials Archived 3 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "A Brief History of Rolex Stella Dial Timepieces". watchtime. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  5. "Take a Look at Paul Altieri's Complete Rolex Stella Dial Collection". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  6. "Inside Paul Altieri's Complete Rolex Stella Dial Collection". www.msn.com. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  7. "10 Rolex references to die for | Christie's". www.christies.com. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  8. https://www.rolex.com/watches/day-date
  9. Peterson, Jane A. (4 September 2017). "Vintage Rolex Is What This Collector Craves". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  10. "Rolex: The first six you should buy | British GQ".
  11. "The Unusual Rolex Stella dial | WatchCollectors.co.uk". 14 May 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  12. "The rarest vintage Rolex Daydate President Stella Dial 1803". www.goldentimeco.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  13. "Inside Paul Altieri's Complete Rolex Stella Dial Collection". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  14. "The Highly Coveted Rolex Stella Dial". Bob's Watches. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  15. Products, Everest Horology. "The Rolex Stella Dial was Here Before". Everest Horology Products. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  16. "ROLEX. A VERY FINE AND VERY RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH A YELLOW LACQUERED STELLA DIAL, SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DAY, DATE AND ORIGINAL GUARANTEE , SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, DAY-DATE, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER, OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED, REF. 1803, CASE NO. 5'107'722, CIRCA 1977". www.christies.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  17. "Rolex - A very rare and attractive yellow gold and diamonds calendar wristwatch with bracelet, centre seconds, yellow lacquered "Stella" dial, guarantee and box, 1973". Phillips. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  18. "ROLEX. A VERY RARE AND ATTRACTIVE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DAY, DATE, GREEN STELLA DIAL, BRACELET, ORIGINAL GUARANTEE AND BOX , SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, DAY-DATE, REF. 1803, CASE NO. 3'312'280, CIRCA 1972". www.christies.com. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  19. (PDF). 18 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130918123707/http://www.rolex.com/content/dam/rolexcom/e-brochures/basel-2013/Brochure-Nouveautes-Baselworld-2013_en.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. "THE HIGHLY COVETED ROLEX STELLA DIAL". JustLuxe. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  21. "Take a Look at Paul Altieri's Complete Rolex Stella Dial Collection". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  22. https://content.rolex.com/dam/new-watches-2020/media/brochures/grand-public/2020_Oyster_New_Models_en.pdf
  23. Products, Everest Horology. "The Rolex Stella Dial was Here Before". Everest Horology Products. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
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