Launched in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date was the first wristwatch to display the day of the week spelt out in full, in a window at twelve o'clock, in addition to the date. It has only ever been produced in precious metals: yellow gold, white gold, Everose gold or platinum. Its bracelet with three semi-circular links, created for it, earned it the name President.
Two diameters coexist, 36 and 40 mm, and the dial combinations are among the richest in the catalogue: olive, ombré, hardstone, meteorite, diamond hour markers. At Francine Joaillerie, in Saint-Tropez, every Day-Date is authenticated, appraised for its materials and delivered with its certificate.
| Reference | Material | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 128238 | 18 ct yellow gold | 36 mm |
| 128239 | 18 ct white gold | 36 mm |
| 228235 | 18 ct Everose gold | 40 mm |
| 228238 | 18 ct yellow gold | 40 mm |
| 228206 | 950 platinum | 40 mm |
On the Day-Date, the choice is made less on the reference than on the dial. Hardstone versions, meteorite dials and ombré colourways, including the famous olive, trade well above classic dials. The same reference can therefore show considerable differences in value depending on its configuration.
No, never. Any watch presented as a steel Day-Date should be treated with the greatest caution.
It is fitted to the Day-Date and, in a slimmer version, to some gold Datejust models. Its semi-circular links are one of the surest visual markers of the model.
The 36 mm is the historic size, widely worn by women today. The 40 mm, more recent, meets contemporary expectations and remains the most requested.
