Mineral Majesty: The Rolex Day-Date Everose Eisenkiesel Dial Ref. 228235

Rolex may be known for its unrivaled reputation in the sports watch department, but the brand has an equally impressive legacy of stone and alternate material dials. Jade, mother of pearl, onyx, and even wood have all been cased up by ‘The Crown’ and delivered as one of a kind natural dial Rolexes. Each stone has its own unique pattern, and this allows every Rolex to be in effect a piece unique. Today, we are analyzing one of the lesser known variants of the Rolex Day-Date– the 228235 in rose gold with an Eisenkiesel dial.

History

Long before Rolex was officially positioned as a “luxury” brand (most of Rolex was really geared to the sports and tool watch markets), the Day-Date was Rolex’s token luxury model. Executed in precious metal, the Day-Date debuted in 1956 and went on to become the iconic symbol of the Rolex luxury segment. Worn by dozens of world leaders and particularly various presidents  of the US, the watch’s signature half circular link bracelet design was later dubbed the “President bracelet”. This watch had such a significant role in the solidification of the Rolex reputation in pop culture, and has continued to occupy that market pinnacle as a result. 

This particular variant of the Day-Date is part of the most recent 40mm variety, and comes executed in 18K rose gold. The highlight of this piece is undoubtedly its unique finishes. Let’s check them out. 

Design Details 

The Rolex Day-Date 228235 is built on the platform of a traditional 40mm Rolex Day-Date. Executed in full rose gold, the watch features the classic president style bracelet with a hidden integrated clasp that makes the full bracelet flow seamlessly from lugs to lugs. This reference features a fluted bezel and matching rose gold hands and index stone settings. 

The traditional metallic indexes of a conventional Day-Date have been replaced by baguettes, which almost disappear on the dial, the true centerpiece of the striking design. Eisenkiesel, or “ferruginous” quartz has a dark brown color complemented by its softly contrasting veins spidering the dial. The result is an incredibly beautiful dial surface unlike any other material in the industry. 

This piece has a large presence. For one, it’s the larger of the modern Day-Date iterations, but additionally, the stones on the dial and the Eisenkiesel make this piece particularly noticeable. The choice of rose gold not only works incredibly well with the dial tones, but it also softens the rest of the watch surprisingly well. 

Inner Workings

This special Day-Date is powered by Rolex’s workhorse caliber 3255, based on the brand’s own 3055. This movement sports a modern 70 hour power reserve and Rolex’s signature Chronergy escapement technology. This escapement is designed specifically to increase the watch’s resistance to magnetic fields so the piece can be worn everyday without a worry. Along the same lines of resilience, the 3255 flaunts a Parachrom hairspring, which is 10 times more resistant to shocks than a conventional movement hairspring. These details help to distinguish the 3255 from most watches and ensure that in addition to being a beautiful watch, the Eisenkiesel Day-Date has the spec to stand behind on the movement side as well. 

Versus the Competition

Arguably the best competition to the Eisenkiesel Day -Date would be the classic ornate Day-Date, the meteorite dial white gold reference 228239. Probably the most subtle integration of diamonds on the market, this piece has a baguette dial, set atop a meteorite dial base. This is one of those pieces that you can just stare at and continue to notice more and more subtleties. Stone dial Rolexes are special, and the 228239 is no exception. 

If that one doesn’t quite do it for you and you want an even more rare-dialed Rolex, consider the Daytona 116519 with Sodalite dial. Sodalite is a beautiful blue burly material that generates an exhilarating effect alongside a white gold case and dark strap. For a dressy take on the Daytona, this piece is hard to beat. 

Personality

The collector that opts for an Eisenkiesel-dialed Rolex is looking for a watch that stands out without screaming. Certainly you can buy diamond-encrusted watches that will attract more attention, make a bigger statement, or get more comments. That said, this is the type of piece that subtly draws the eye and keeps it there. Once someone notices what you’re wearing, whether they are in the watch space or not, they will recognize you’re wearing something special. 

As mentioned earlier, this dial is made from natural quartz, meaning that each piece is in effect unique. That’s an incredibly attractive attribute for a luxury watch. The idea that no other Day-Date will ever look quite like yours is something you don’t get with most Rolexes. The whimsical pattern of the veins of your watch will continue to draw your attention for many years. 

Final Thoughts

Some of Rolex’s rarest unknown watches pack the strongest punch, and this Day-Date is no exception. Coming from one of the most recognizable designs in the Rolex playbook and executed in a wonderful configuration, this watch is both extremely uncommon, and decidedly beautiful. The pairing of dial, case and finishes works harmoniously to make this piece equally artistic and functional. 

See more of the Rolex Day-Date Everose Eisenkiesel Dial Ref. 228235.

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