Rolex Day-Date 36 Emoji Puzzle 128238
If the bubbly Oyster Perpetual wasn’t quite whimsical enough for you, or was not the right type of colourful – Rolex has got you covered. Introduced in two new variants, it revives the funky stone dials of the 1970s and fully enters the realm of quirky with high-end champlevé enamel dials – emojis and inspirational phrases included. Long a paragon of power, present on the wrists of world leaders and pop-culture stars, the Rolex Day-Date 36 Emoji Puzzle 128238, especially in the yellow gold 36mm variant, is a piece truly deserving of the icon moniker. A Day-Date is certainly worthy of a champlevé dial, owing to the meticulous nature of executing one, though the way Rolex has gone about it certainly surprised me, among many others. Depicting a partly put-together jigsaw puzzle, the colourful pieces are separated by thin precious metal wire matched to the case, each “representing one of the key moments in life”, according to Rolex. Instead of the day and date indication, we’ve got seven inspirational quotes (Happy, Eternity, Gratitude, Peace, Faith, Love, Hope) and 31 exclusive emojis, so its proposition as a daily wearer is tarnished somewhat. Finalising the colour splash on the dial, the hour markers are a smattering of coloured baguette-cut sapphires. Available in three different metals – yellow, white and Everose gold, the Rolex Day-Date 36 Emoji Puzzle 128238 puzzles remain unchanged from the classic 36mm Day-Date case – all three also paired with a President bracelet finished in a concealed Crownclasp. First fitted to the Day-Date model in 2019, the 2015 3255 calibre sports a Chronergy escapement, blue Parachrom hairspring with Rolex overcoil and Paraflex shock absorbers, offering up to 70 hours of power reserve. Not to be outdone by the emoji-and-sapphire-equipped Day-Dates, the 1970s-inspired Day-Dates pair decorative stone dials with diamond-studded markers and bezels. The sunrise-like carnelian dial, which we saw a glimpse of in Rolex’s teaser, is cased in 18k yellow gold with a matching 18k yellow gold President bracelet. The green aventurine dial, my personal favourite of the bunch, combines an Everose gold case and bracelet with a green backdrop of finely crystallised stone. The stunning star-studded dial complements the 52 brilliant-cut diamonds in the bezel, making for a very blingy finish. Finally, we have the veiny turquoise blue dial in a white gold case. The stone is one that Rolex has used often throughout the years, the 128348RBR reference in yellow gold being the most recent. All three feature the 3255 calibre, just like the puzzle champlevé enamel models.
Rolex just released six new Rolex Day-Date 36 Emoji Puzzle 128238 : Starting with the jigsaw puzzle motif dial made from champlevé enameling available in yellow gold, white gold, and Everose. The watch displays “inspirational” keywords at the 12 o’clock display (‘Happy’, ‘Eternity’, ‘Gratitude’, ‘Peace’, ‘Faith’, ‘Love’ and ‘Hope’) and 31 emojis (!!!) in place of the date at 3 o’clock.
The three new stone dials are available in carnelian (yellow gold), turquoise (platinum) and green aventurine (Everose gold). These new stone dials are a continuation of a long Rolex legacy, originating back to the 1970s. Turquoise has been used frequently, most recently in a yellow gold configuration (ref. 128348RBR). Carnelian is a warm orange hue which has also been used historically albeit less frequently and green aventurine which has a finely crystallized surface. (You may be more familiar with blue aventurine). Move over flower and palm dials, the jigsaw “emoji” watch now battles the new OP “Celebration” dial for most unusual Rolex novelty. Who would’ve thought we would see inspirational phrases and emojis on Day-Dates in 2023?
The stone dials are sure to satisfy the surge in popularity for this classic 1970s feel. I’m hoping to get my hands on the new turquoise before Drake does – and something tells me I just might beat him to it this time! For somebody who loves diamonds I do kind sorta wish the stone dials featured fluted bezels. But, hey I can’t complain. Rolex just made an emoji watch. What a time to be alive.
