228238
CurrentDay-Date 40 Yellow Gold
2015 — present
40mm 18ct yellow gold on President bracelet. Various dials including champagne, black, green.
Case: 18ct Yellow Gold
The Rolex Day-Date was introduced in 1956 as the world's first wristwatch to display both the day of the week spelled in full and the date. Crucially — and uniquely — it has always been produced exclusively in 18ct gold or platinum. No stainless steel, no two-tone: every Day-Date is precious metal from case to clasp. This deliberate exclusivity made it the watch of presidents, heads of state, and global leaders across six decades, earning it the enduring nickname 'the President's watch' after the Presidential bracelet that Rolex created specifically for it. The current Day-Date 40 (references 228238, 228235, 228206) houses the Calibre 3255 — Rolex's most advanced movement — with a 70-hour power reserve and 14 patents. The Day-Date 36 (references 128238, 128235, 128239) preserves the original proportion of the 1956 reference in a 36mm case. Dial options range from diamond-paved to hardstone (onyx, meteorite, tiger's eye, malachite) — making each Day-Date a genuinely unique object. Pre-owned Day-Date pieces represent tremendous value relative to retail, as the precious metal content alone accounts for a significant portion of the watch's value.
Key References
228238228235228206128238128235118238
100%
Authenticated
5,000+
Pieces Sold
25+
Countries
Specifications
Day-Date Technical Specifications
| Movement | Calibre 3255 — automatic, COSC + Superlative Chronometer (-2/+2 sec/day) |
|---|---|
| Power reserve | 70 hours (Chronergy escapement) |
| Water resistance | 100 metres |
| Case material | 18ct Yellow Gold · 18ct White Gold · 18ct Everose Gold · 950 Platinum (only) |
| Case diameter | 36mm (Day-Date 36) · 40mm (Day-Date 40) |
| Thickness | 11.8mm (DD40) · 11.4mm (DD36) |
| Lug-to-lug | 47.5mm (DD40) · 43.5mm (DD36) |
| Weight | ~190g (DD40 yellow gold President) |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops magnification over date |
| Bezel | Fluted · Smooth · Diamond-set · Diamond-set with bezel-set hour markers |
| Bracelet | President three-link semi-circular · Oyster · Leather strap |
Reference Guide
Day-Date References Explained
228239
CurrentDay-Date 40 White Gold
2015 — present
40mm 18ct white gold on President bracelet. Often with diamond dial or fluted bezel.
Case: 18ct White Gold
228235
CurrentDay-Date 40 Everose Gold
2015 — present
40mm 18ct Everose gold on Everose President. Chocolate, olive green, or black dials.
Case: 18ct Everose Gold
228206
CurrentDay-Date 40 Platinum
2015 — present
40mm 950 platinum with ice blue dial — the platinum-exclusive dial signifies the metal.
Case: 950 PlatinumDial: Ice blue
128238
CurrentDay-Date 36 Yellow Gold
2019 — present
36mm 18ct yellow gold on President bracelet — the original size.
Case: 18ct Yellow Gold
128235
CurrentDay-Date 36 Everose Gold
2019 — present
36mm Everose President with various dial options including hardstone (onyx, malachite, tiger's eye).
Case: 18ct Everose Gold
128239
CurrentDay-Date 36 White Gold
2019 — present
36mm white gold with fluted bezel or diamond-set bezel options.
Case: 18ct White Gold
118238
DiscontinuedDay-Date II 41mm
2008 — 2015
41mm Day-Date II (predecessor to the 40) in yellow, white, or rose gold. Larger than current.
Case: 18ct gold
Market Price
What does a Day-Date cost?
Current retail (228238 yellow gold)
~$41,800
Pre-owned (low)
$36,000
Pre-owned (high)
$58,000
Recently observed
Yellow gold 228238 with champagne dial trades $38,000–$45,000 with full set; green 'Wimbledon' dial commands a small premium. Everose 228235 chocolate dial $45,000–$55,000.
Platinum 228206 ice blue dial trades $80,000–$120,000+. Diamond-set white gold references frequently exceed $100,000. Hardstone dials (meteorite, malachite, onyx) command significant premiums.
History
Day-Date Through the Years
1956
Day-Date launches as the world's first wristwatch with full day display.
1956
President bracelet introduced — three-piece semi-circular link design exclusive to Day-Date.
1972
Reference 1803 in white gold gains President nickname after worn by Lyndon Johnson and others.
1988
Reference 18238 introduces sapphire crystal and double quickset (independent day and date).
2008
Day-Date II at 41mm launches alongside the original 36mm.
2015
Day-Date 40 (228xxx series) replaces Day-Date II with new Calibre 3255.
2019
Day-Date 36 modernised with Calibre 3255 and new dial options.
Buying Guide
How to buy a pre-owned Day-Date
01
Yellow gold versus Everose versus white gold
Yellow gold is the classic and most traditional choice — strongly associated with the President's watch heritage. Everose is the modern preference: warmer than yellow, more subtle, and Rolex's proprietary alloy resists fading. White gold appeals to those who want gold without the colour — often paired with diamond bezels.
02
Platinum is a separate category
The platinum 228206 is the only Day-Date in 950 platinum, exclusively paired with the ice blue dial. It commands a significant premium ($80,000+) and represents the absolute apex of the line. It is also denser and heavier than gold — wears differently on the wrist.
03
Hardstone and exotic dials
Day-Date hardstone dials — onyx, meteorite, malachite, tiger's eye — are produced in tiny quantities and command significant premiums on resale. Diamond-set dials similarly. These elevate the Day-Date from a luxury watch to a unique object.
Sizing
Will the Day-Date fit your wrist?
Day-Date 36 is the historically authentic size and works on most wrists. Day-Date 40 is the modern preference for men's watches and accommodates the larger Calibre 3255. The President bracelet is denser and heavier than Oyster — gold weighs significantly. A yellow gold DD40 weighs approximately 190g — substantial on the wrist. Stack height of 11.4–11.8mm slips under any cuff. Crownclasp is concealed and elegant.
Compare
Day-Date vs. its siblings
vs. Datejust
Datejust is the steel/two-tone everyday version of the same design lineage. Day-Date is exclusively precious metal and adds the day-of-week display. Datejust starts at $9,000; Day-Date at $36,000+.
vs. Daytona
Daytona and Day-Date represent the two ends of the Rolex spectrum: stainless steel sport versus precious-metal dress. Many serious collectors own one of each.
vs. Yacht Master
The Yacht-Master in precious metal (e.g., Everose with Oysterflex) shares the precious-metal philosophy but in a sports case. Day-Date is the formal choice; Yacht-Master in gold is the casual alternative.
In Stock
Available Day-Date Watches
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Common Questions
Day-Date — Frequently Asked Questions
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