The Rolex Presidents Day Date 36 mm isn't the first release of the timepiece in that case size.  Besides 36 mm it is also available in 40 mm and at one time it was released as a 41 mm.  The 36 mm is sizable but certainly lighter than the 40 mm.  It is a quality size that can fit most men and women alike.

The biggest difference in the new 36 mm is the newly upgraded caliber 3255 which is similar to the new 3235 and 3285 released in the Datejust and GMT Master II, respectively.  It has a Chronergy escapement, a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers.  This new set of caliber's are more precise and are less susceptible to forces such as magnets or shocks.  The enhanced power reserve is the most noticeable feature for owners of this timepiece.  At 70 hours of power reserve, it is closing in quickly to a full 3 days of power reserve - nearly a third of improvement over the previous caliber.

If you have read the Chronicle for any period of time, you know that the Day Date is clearly one of my favorite Rolex timepieces.  I believe it is because it is like a monument to horological excellence, being the first to combine both the Date aperture with the day of the week spelled out.  This is uniquely useful to executives who are often so busy that it becomes easy to get lost in the mire of the day to day and forget what day you are currently residing in.  The day appears at the 12 o'clock position which is symmetrical.  Some day-dates of other timepieces have located the day in other parts of the dial, which don't seem to be appropriately placed.

The Day Date is one of the finest examples of luxury in the Rolex lineup.  The Day Date 36 is only available in   Yellow Gold, Everose Gold, and White Gold.  Some steel versions were made during the initial design phase, but this is not a "Steel" appropriate timepiece.  There are many versions but the Green Dial version of the Day Date is sensational.  It has baguette cut diamonds at the 6 and 9 o'clock positions and diamond hour markers at the other hour positions with the exception of 3 and 12 o'clock where the day of the week & 2 digit date apertures appear.

I prefer the yellow gold reference 128238 to all the other colors available.  However, the white gold version reference 128349 RBR with 52 cut diamonds around the bezel, pink opal dial and Roman numerals is an exceptional timepiece.  Although I don't exactly find myself attracted to the chocolate dial and 18 ct pink gold of the reference 128235, there is no question that many people will.

The new Day Date 36 is waterproof to 330 feet, and is fitted with an exquisite President's Bracelet.  The Rolex site gives you the option to configure your own Presidents Day Date with various gold color options, bezel choices and dial color options.