Since its founding nearly 120 years ago, Rolex has chosen simplicity over arcane complications such as tourbillons and minute repeaters. Now, though, the Geneva-based brand has dived headlong into whimsy with the latest iteration of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36. The watch, which comes in rose, yellow or white gold, features a champlevé enamel dial in a jigsaw motif with 10 baguette sapphires in rainbow hues as the indexes. Unlike other Day-Date 36 designs, whose apertures show the day of the week at 12 o’clock, this one displays words of inspiration, including “Gratitude” and “Eternity”, and the 3 o’clock window, instead of the date, features 31 emojis, including a four-leaf clover, an eight ball and the Rolex coronet. In an era that seems to call out for a jolt of joy, this witty twist on an icon may be the perfect answer. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36, price on request, rolex.com; kennedy.com.au.
The Thing: A Whimsical New Rolex with a Puzzle-Patterned Face
From T Australia’s “Journeys” issue, Rolex dives headlong into whimsy with the latest iteration of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36, price on request, rolex.com; kennedy.com.au. Photograph by Jennifer Livingston. 