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Rolex Day-Date
Image courtesy of Rolex, official press kit
  • Rolex Day-Date
  • Rolex Day-Date

Day-Date

The first wristwatch to display both day and date in full, introduced in 1956 in 18k gold and platinum only, with the President bracelet developed for it. The Day-Date is the Rolex worn by every American president since Eisenhower and the brand’s flagship dress complication; the modern 228238 carries a 40mm yellow-gold case and the cal. 3255.

Year introduced: 19563 references

References in this family

  • Rolex Day-Date 40 · 228238
    luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3255 -- in-house automatic with day and date, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; used in Day-Date 4040mm2015–presenteditorial
    Open
  • Rolex Day-Date 36 · 128238
    luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3255 -- in-house automatic with day and date, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; used in Day-Date 4036mm2019–presenteditorial
    Open
  • Rolex Day-Date 36 (Vintage White Gold) · 1803
    luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 1556 -- in-house automatic, 18,000bph, 44h PR, 25j; used in Day-Date 1803 from 1970s; quickset date predecessor; Rolex gilt movement era36mm1957–1977editorial
    Open

Which ref to buy

The Day-Date is the most prestigious reference in the Rolex catalog -- available exclusively in precious metal, never in steel. The bracelet (the President) and the day display spelled in full are its signatures. Worn by every sitting US president since Eisenhower.

  1. 1

    Day-Date 40 in yellow gold -- the modern statement piece, full Rolex prestige.

    The case for it:
    Cal. 3255, 40mm yellow gold Oyster case, President bracelet, day spelled in full, date with cyclops. The 40mm is the current production standard -- larger and more visible than the 36mm. Yellow gold is the canonical Day-Date material; the association is inescapable. Strong secondary market given the precious metal floor on residual value.
    Consider instead if:
    The Day-Date is prestige-forward, not technically sophisticated. A Patek 5327 or VC Patrimony Perpetual offers greater horological depth at a similar price. Choose the Day-Date if the symbolism matters to you.
    Open
  2. 2

    Day-Date 36 in yellow gold -- the historically proportionate configuration.

    The case for it:
    Cal. 3255, 36mm, the original Day-Date case size. A more restrained wrist presence than the 40mm. The 36mm is the proportionally correct Day-Date for smaller wrists and for buyers who prefer the historical reference point.
    Consider instead if:
    The 40mm has become the dominant secondary market configuration for buyers who want maximum visibility.
    Open
  3. 3

    Vintage Day-Date 36 in white gold -- the collector entry with the strongest dial variety.

    The case for it:
    The 1803 spans a long production period with extraordinary dial variety -- brick, Stella, mosaic, and stone dials make this one of the richest references for dial collectors. White gold vintage examples are less common than yellow gold and carry a premium.
    Consider instead if:
    Vintage precious metal requires authentication at multiple levels -- case hallmarks, dial originality, bracelet provenance. Work only with known specialists.
    Open

Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-06. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.

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