Introduced in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date made history as the first watch to display both the day of the week and the date in full. Designed with business professionals in mind, the Day-Date allowed them to view their schedule at a glance, eliminating the need for pocket or desk calendars, which were common at that time.
Beyond its innovative features, the copy Rolex Day-Date’s allure was further enhanced by its exclusive materials – each model was crafted from 18k gold (whether yellow, white, or rose) or platinum. Rolex also introduced the unique Presidential bracelet, a three-piece bracelet with circular links, specifically for this model. Over time, the Day-Date earned the nickname “President,” as several U.S. Presidents, most notably Lyndon B. Johnson, were photographed wearing it.
Today, the Rolex Day-Date remains one of the most coveted watches globally, admired for its elegance and perfect design. Collectors often view it as a legacy piece, meant to be passed down through generations. However, setting the day and date on a Rolex Day-Date can be tricky, especially for those unfamiliar with the process.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to adjust the day and date on your Rolex Day-Date, whether your model features a non-Quickset, Single Quickset, or Double Quickset mechanism.
Single Quickset vs. Double Quickset: What’s the Difference?
Rolex’s early Day-Date models required adjusting the time to change the date, which could be inconvenient. In 1972, replica Rolex introduced the hacking seconds feature, which allowed the seconds hand to stop while adjusting the time, improving accuracy. The major breakthrough came in the late 1970s with the introduction of the Quickset feature, which allowed users to set the date independently of the time.
By 1983, the Single Quickset function was available across all Day-Date models, allowing for independent date adjustments. However, changing the day of the week still required moving the hands. This process could be tedious, but it became much easier to manage with practice.
In 1990, Rolex introduced the Double Quickset feature, which allowed users to set both the day and the date independently without moving the hands – making this model far more user-friendly than its predecessor.
How to Set the Day and Date on a Non-Quickset Rolex Day-Date
Setting the day and date on a non-Quickset Rolex Day-Date is a bit more involved but still straightforward.
Unscrew the crown by rotating it counterclockwise.
Manually wind the watch by turning the crown clockwise once it’s fully unscrewed.
Pull the crown out to the last position.
Advance the hands by rotating the crown clockwise. To change both the day and date, continue advancing the hands past midnight. Both windows will change simultaneously.
Adjust the date by turning the hands counterclockwise, past midnight to the 9 o’clock position. Then, reverse the hands clockwise past midnight. Repeat this process until the correct date is displayed.
Set the current time after the date is correct.
How to Set the Day and Date on a Single Quickset Rolex Day-Date
Unscrew the crown by rotating it counterclockwise.
Wind the watch manually by turning the crown clockwise in the first position.
Pull the crown out to the first position to quickly set the date. Rotate the crown counterclockwise to change the date in one-day intervals.
Pull the crown out to the last position to set the day of the week. Move the hands clockwise past midnight to advance the day.
Lock the crown back down to ensure water resistance.
How to Set the Day and Date on a Double Quickset Rolex Day-Date
Unscrew the crown by rotating it counterclockwise.
Wind the watch manually by turning the crown clockwise in the initial winding position.
Pull the crown out to the next position to adjust the date. Turn the crown clockwise to advance the date.
Turn the crown counterclockwise in the same position to change the day of the week.
Pull the crown out to the final position to set the time.
Secure the crown by locking it down to maintain the fake watch‘s water resistance.
By following these steps, you can easily set the day and date on your Rolex Day-Date, whether you have a non-Quickset, Single Quickset, or Double Quickset model.