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The story
The Day-Date of 1956 was the first wristwatch to show both the date and the day of the week spelled out in full. It has only ever been made in 18 ct gold or platinum, and its semi-circular three-link President bracelet gave the watch its nickname.
The 36 mm case served for decades; the 41 mm Day-Date II joined in 2008 and was replaced by the Day-Date 40 in 2015, which introduced the calibre 3255 generation now used in both sizes.
| Years | References | Calibre | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956–1959 | 6511, 6611 | 1055, 1065 | First Day-Date |
| 1959–1977 | 1802, 1803, 1804, 1807 | 1555, 1556 | Long-running 18xx series |
| 1977–1988 | 18038, 18039, 18078 | 3055 | Quickset day and date, sapphire |
| 1988–2000 | 18238, 18239, 18206 | 3155 | 5-digit era |
| 2000–2019 | 118238, 118239, 118206; Day-Date II 218238 (41 mm, 2008) | 3155, 3156 | Day-Date II 41 mm |
| 2015–today | 228238 (40 mm, 2015), 128238 (36 mm, 2019) | 3255 | Day-Date 40 replaces Day-Date II |
Reading a Day-Date reference
228238 is a Day-Date 40 (2282) with a fluted bezel (3) in yellow gold (8). The 36 mm equivalent is 128238. Platinum Day-Dates end in 6, white gold in 9 and Everose in 5; RBR and TBR mark gem-set versions.
Earlier generations: 1803 is the classic 1960s–70s model, 18038 introduced the quickset calibre 3055, 18238 and 118238 used calibre 3155.
Current models and prices
Every Day-Date reference Rolex currently lists for India, with the retail price shown on rolex.com/en-in on 8 October 2026, including taxes. Where a reference comes with several dials or bracelets, the range is shown.
| Reference | Model | Case | Calibre | India price, 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128235 | Day-Date 36 | Everose gold | 3255 | ₹48,28,000 – ₹53,96,000 |
| 128236 | Day-Date 36 | Platinum | 3255 | ₹62,37,000 – ₹71,48,000 |
| 128238 | Day-Date 36 | Yellow gold | 3255 | ₹44,69,000 – ₹49,30,000 |
| 128345RBR | Day-Date 36 | Everose gold, diamond bezel | 3255 | ₹67,19,000 – ₹1,39,69,000 |
| 128348RBR | Day-Date 36 | Yellow gold, diamond bezel | 3255 | ₹63,60,000 – ₹66,71,000 |
| 128349RBR | Day-Date 36 | White gold, diamond bezel | 3255 | ₹67,19,000 – ₹1,29,19,000 |
| 128396TBR | Day-Date 36 | Platinum, diamond-set | 3255 | ₹95,38,000 – ₹1,04,49,000 |
| 128398TBR | Day-Date 36 | Yellow gold, diamond-set | 3255 | ₹96,13,000 – ₹96,88,000 |
| 128399TBR | Day-Date 36 | White gold, diamond-set | 3255 | ₹1,00,58,000 |
| 228235 | Day-Date 40 | Everose gold | 3255 | ₹52,79,000 – ₹63,61,000 |
| 228236 | Day-Date 40 | Platinum | 3255 | ₹66,98,000 – ₹72,66,000 |
| 228238 | Day-Date 40 | Yellow gold | 3255 | ₹49,09,000 – ₹53,70,000 |
| 228239 | Day-Date 40 | White gold | 3255 | ₹52,79,000 – ₹58,47,000 |
| 228345RBR | Day-Date 40 | Everose gold, diamond bezel | 3255 | ₹74,86,000 – ₹79,47,000 |
| 228348RBR | Day-Date 40 | Yellow gold, diamond bezel | 3255 | ₹71,11,000 – ₹76,79,000 |
| 228349RBR | Day-Date 40 | White gold, diamond bezel | 3255 | ₹79,47,000 |
| 228396TBR | Day-Date 40 | Platinum, diamond-set | 3255 | ₹1,18,42,000 – ₹1,23,03,000 |
| 228398TBR | Day-Date 40 | Yellow gold, diamond-set | 3255 | ₹1,09,15,000 |
The calibre
Calibre 3255 has about 70 hours of power reserve, Chronergy escapement and Paraflex shock absorbers, with an instantaneous day and date. It debuted in the Day-Date 40 in 2015 and moved into the Day-Date 36 in 2019.
Materials
18 ct yellow, white and Everose gold and 950 platinum only — there is no steel Day-Date. Many references are offered with gem-set bezels and dials.
- Solid gold or platinum case and bracelet, correctly hallmarked
- Day and date that change together, crisply, at midnight
- Calibre 3255 in a 128xxx or 228xxx reference
- Day disc in a language consistent with the papers
- Any steel or gold-plated ‘Day-Date’
- Aftermarket diamond bezels or dials
- A President bracelet from the wrong case size
- Papers that do not match the case
Frequently asked questions
After its President bracelet, and its long association with world leaders.
No. It is made only in 18 ct gold or platinum.
36 and 40 mm.