Baselworld 2018: Rolex Datejust 31
In our most recent article we have discussed at length the revamped Datejust 36 and it is only right if we take a quick look at its smaller, also new-for-2018 sibling, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31.
The latest generation of the Datejust 31 exhibits a wide range of important updates – albeit updates that, at first sight, perhaps are not so self-explanatory to the untrained eye. Before we were to share these details, let us make a quick side-note about something that we have said before and will, we imagine, say again soon.
One of the many aspects that make Rolex so special is Rolex’s endless and tireless quest and promise to refine, modify and update even its most iconic, long-standing models. Every Rolex watch is designed and produced with this unshakable love and rock solid focus on quality, performance and comfort – and it is this unique approach that yields the smaller and larger updates that we see collections receive every number of years.
As such, the new-for-2018 Datejust 31 comes with redesigned case sides and lugs, as well as with the latest generation President bracelet and the new-generation Manufacture Rolex 2236 caliber. Inside out, the Datejust 31 is seeing a major update this year.
The Manufacture Rolex Caliber 2236 packs a host of high-technology engineering solutions including an extra-long power reserve, remarkable accuracy and a Rolex Syloxi silicon hairspring
The Oyster case of the Datejust 31, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 meters (just be sure to keep the crown screwed down), is a paragon of robustness and elegance. Its refined middle case is available exclusively in all gold – let that be 18ct yellow, white or Everose gold. Its polished finish accentuates the redesigned curve of the lugs, styled to match perfectly the President bracelet.
The 3-link President bracelet may be a familiar sight to some and with reason: it is the same style hitherto reserved for the Day-Date line. The Datejust 31, with its restyled case, crafted exclusively from precious metals and fitted with the latest caliber has become worthy of having this distinctive bracelet option. Notably, the President bracelet – named so after its iconic aesthetics became linked to the watch that numerous major leaders of the world have worn in the last number of decades – comes with ceramic inserts so as to eliminate stretching and loosening of the bracelet over extended periods (decades) of wear. The crown – quite literally – of this bracelet is the concealed, uniquely elegant Crownclasp that makes for the visual appearance of an infinite ribbon of gold around the wrist, adorned just by a tiny, applied Rolex crown to help make opening the clasp comfortable and easy.
A wide range of bezel-, dial- and material options are available. Seen here is the diamond-set bezel with blue mother of pearl dial, all wrapped in shimmering 18ct white gold The new movement, Manufacture Rolex Caliber 2236 boasts the latest technologies of the Rolex Manufacture, including a 55-hour power reserve – that is an exceptionally long amount of autonomy for a watch of this compact size. Equally impressive is the -2/+2 second-per-day accuracy, another exotic and impressive technical feat for a movement of this size, achieved by the groundbreaking Syloxi hairspring in silicon and its patented geometry. The movement is rendered complete by a bi-directional self-winding Perpetual rotor, as well as a traversing balance bridge and Paraflex shock absorbers for ultimate reliability and robustness.
Available with a range of bezel, dial and material options, the latest generation of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 packs cutting edge technology and wraps it a stylish, timeless presentation, now more refined and powerful than ever.
