Pucci Papaleo's Rolex Day-Date Book Preview

I have to confess that I'm absolutely not a Vintage Rolex specialist. But when Paolo Gobbi proposed me to meet Pucci Papaleo, I couldn't refuse. For me, Pucci Papaleo is the editor of the amazing Ultimate Daytona book. You know, the book which obliges you to move to a larger flat to really enjoy it. The surprise for me was to learn that a new book was about to be released dedicated to another iconic watch of Rolex: the Day-Date.

When I met Pucci Papaleo, the book was in the printing process. So I couldn't see the final version. But I could handle a prototype which gave me an excellent idea of what would be this final version.

Actually, the timing for this book is excellent. The watch is approaching its 60th anniversary since it was said that its official birthdate is 1956. But the Day-Date is not only an icon of the past, being the first chronometer to display the date of the week and the first wristwatch to fully write it. It is also the watch which symbolizes this year the unveiling of the  new caliber from Rolex, the  3255, in the context of the Day-Date 40.

It is not, from my perspective, a coincidence if Rolex chose the Day-Date to house the new caliber. The Day-Date is, after all, the Presidential Rolex... and so the perfect reason to propose a movement with an enlarged power reserve!

But let's come back to Pucci Papaleo's book.

This 448 pages book gathers one thousand of new images by Fabio Santinelli and texts by Paolo Gobbi. It is available in Italian and English. This two languages version is a bit mandatory not only for obvious commercial reasons! We don't have to forget that the Day Date is now available in 26 different languages! The privilege of the large window on top of the dial.

The book is divided into four parts.

The first one is dedicated to the combined history of the Day-Date and of the Rolls-Royce Corniche.

The next chapter focuses on the complete history of the watch and the reasons of its success and fame.

Then, twelve collectors and connoisseurs express their feelings and explain their personal relationships with the Day-Date.

The last chapter, by far the biggest, browses the history of the Day-Date with the presentation on two pages per watch of rare and specific models. Around 170 models are described with this homogeneous way. The left page explains the specific features of the watch while a clear and neat picture on the right page offers a full view of the watch. As you know, each detail counts with a Day-Date and it is not only a question of dial or case. The bracelet also plays a very important role and so it has to be widely visible. I loved to see one of the last pages of the book which displays small pictures of all the watches described in the book. It looks like a constellation and highlights the versatility of the Day-Date and the wide range of styles which have been available for several decades now.

Please find below several pics I took during my encounter with Pucci Papaleo (again, the pictured book is a prototype and not the final version):

Pucci Papaleo can be proud of this beautiful outcome. I was really impressed by the book, both in terms of contents and of presentation. This publication will become a wonderful addition to the collectors' and Rolex fans' libraries. I tell you why this book is successful. It allowed me to have a different view on the Day-Date. As I said, I am not a specialist of this field. But by browsing the book, I realized the significant impact of this watch on the watchmaking history and industry.

Please find below the book details: