Rolex · 519 listed

Rolex Day-Date for sale in NYC

Day-Date 36 and Day-Date 40 references in yellow, white and Everose gold and platinum, plus the 41mm Day-Date II, mostly on the President bracelet, with fluted, smooth and diamond bezels, new and pre-owned.

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Why the Day-Date matters

Rolex launched the Day-Date in 1956. It was the first wristwatch to show the date and the day of the week spelled out in full, the day in an arched window at twelve. It came on the President bracelet, with its three-piece rounded links, made for it. Rolex has only ever made the Day-Date in 18 ct gold or platinum, never steel, which is a large part of why it became the watch of heads of state and business leaders. The day disc is offered in many languages.

Sizes, metals and dials

The Day-Date 36 is the classic size. The Day-Date 40 replaced the 41mm Day-Date II and has slimmer, better balanced lugs. Metals are yellow gold, white gold, Everose gold and platinum. Platinum models carry the ice blue dial, which Rolex reserves for platinum. Bezels are fluted, smooth or diamond set, and dials run from champagne and silver to olive green, meteorite and stone dials such as onyx. Diamond and baguette indexes are common factory options.

Key references

In 40mm, the 228238 is yellow gold, the 228239 white gold, the 228235 Everose and the 228206 platinum, all with the calibre 3255 and about 70 hours of reserve. In 36mm, the current 128238, 128239 and 128235 follow the same pattern and also use the 3255. The previous 36mm generation, the 118238 and 118239, used the calibre 3155 and has solid end links. Before that, the 18238 and 18239 are popular five-digit pieces. The Day-Date II references 218238 and 218239 measure 41mm.

Buying advice

Gold is soft, so look closely at the case and lugs for heavy polishing, which rounds the edges and thins the lugs. President bracelets stretch over decades: check the links for sag and the concealed Crownclasp for a firm close. Dials and bezels are the parts most often swapped for aftermarket diamonds, so check that the setting quality and dial printing match factory work. Custom pieces here are marked as custom. Ask for service history, and note that box and papers add real resale value at this level.

Prices are listed on every watch. Call or text to arrange a viewing by appointment in the Diamond District in Midtown Manhattan.

Questions

Rolex Day-Date questions

Is the Day-Date ever made in steel?

No. Rolex has only produced the Day-Date in 18 ct gold and platinum. If you see a steel Day-Date, it is not a Rolex Day-Date. The closest steel relative is the Datejust, which shares the Oyster case and the fluted bezel but shows only the date. That exclusivity is part of why the Day-Date holds its place at the top of the Rolex classic line.

Should I buy a Day-Date 36 or Day-Date 40?

The 36mm is the traditional President size and wears smaller than its number because of its short lugs. The 40mm has more presence and suits wrists above about seven inches. Both now use the calibre 3255. Gold is heavy, so the 40 on a President bracelet feels substantial. Many collectors who wear a watch every day prefer the 36 for comfort.

Why does the platinum Day-Date have an ice blue dial?

Rolex reserves the ice blue dial for its platinum watches, so the color signals the metal at a glance. The platinum Day-Date 40, ref. 228206, is the best known example, usually with a smooth domed bezel. Platinum is denser than gold, so the watch feels heavier on the wrist and has a slightly whiter tone than white gold.

Is it hard to buy a Day-Date at retail?

Popular versions, especially the 40mm in Everose or platinum, can involve long waits at authorized retailers, who often favor clients with a purchase history. The secondary market lets you choose the exact dial, bezel and metal now. Expect to pay above list price for the most wanted combinations, and less for older references such as the 118238 or 18238.

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