What defines the Day-Date
The Day-Date is Rolex's most formal sports-capable watch. It launched in 1956 as the first wristwatch to show the day of the week spelled out in full, in an arched window at 12 o'clock. The date sits at 3 under a Cyclops lens. It also debuted the President bracelet, which in turn gave the watch its nickname.
Two rules have held ever since. First, the Day-Date comes only in 18 ct gold or 950 platinum; there is no steel version. Second, it is a dress watch with a real Oyster case, so 100 m water resistance comes standard. Today every model runs on calibre 3255, with 70 hours of power reserve.
Typically, buyers are people marking a milestone, or collectors who want a gold watch that needs no explanation.
Every Day-Date reference compared
The current line has two sizes. The Day-Date 36 is the original proportion, updated in 2019 with calibre 3255. The Day-Date 40 arrived in 2015 and replaced the 41 mm Day-Date II. Each size comes in yellow, white and Everose gold, plus platinum.
Day-Date 36 128238
Yellow gold President, 36 mm, calibre 3255. Plain dials sit near retail; green and Puzzle dials do not.
Day-Date 36 128239
White gold President in 36 mm. Looks like steel, weighs like gold, and usually trades under list.
Day-Date 36 128235
Everose gold President in 36 mm. The strongest Day-Date 36 on resale, led by olive and chocolate dials.
Day-Date 40 228238
Yellow gold President, fluted bezel, calibre 3255. Standard dials trade near retail; green dials above it.
Day-Date 40 228239
White gold President with a fluted bezel. The quiet Day-Date, and usually the one trading furthest below retail.
Day-Date 40 228235
Everose gold President. Olive and chocolate dials lead; the strongest resale of the gold Day-Date 40s.
Day-Date 36 128236
Platinum President with the fluted platinum bezel from 2022 and the platinum-only ice blue dial.
Day-Date 40 228236
Platinum President with the 2022 fluted bezel and ice blue dial. Trades above retail in 2026.
Day-Date 40 228206
Smooth-bezel platinum President, 2015–2022. Ice blue dial, calibre 3255, and a clear discount to the fluted 228236. Discontinued
Day-Date retail vs pre-owned price table
The table below compares each Rolex Day-Date price at US list with October 2026 pre-owned bands. The last column shows how the excellent full-set midpoint sits against retail.
| Reference | Retail | Unworn, full set | Excellent, B&P | Good, no papers | Mid-band vs retail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day-Date 36 128238 | US$45,900 | US$45,000 – US$50,000 | US$40,000 – US$46,000 | US$36,000 – US$40,500 | -6% |
| Day-Date 36 128239 | US$49,600 | US$44,000 – US$49,000 | US$40,000 – US$45,000 | US$35,500 – US$39,500 | -14% |
| Day-Date 36 128235 | US$49,600 | US$50,000 – US$56,000 | US$44,000 – US$52,000 | US$39,000 – US$44,000 | -3% |
| Day-Date 36 128236 | US$64,100 | US$64,000 – US$72,000 | US$58,000 – US$66,000 | US$51,000 – US$57,000 | -3% |
| Day-Date 40 228238 | US$50,400 | US$50,000 – US$56,000 | US$45,000 – US$52,000 | US$40,000 – US$45,000 | -4% |
| Day-Date 40 228239 | US$54,200 | US$47,000 – US$53,000 | US$42,000 – US$48,000 | US$37,000 – US$42,000 | -17% |
| Day-Date 40 228235 | US$54,200 | US$51,000 – US$57,000 | US$46,000 – US$53,000 | US$41,000 – US$46,000 | -9% |
| Day-Date 40 228236 | US$68,800 | US$78,000 – US$88,000 | US$70,000 – US$80,000 | US$62,000 – US$70,000 | +9% |
Retail is the current (or last) US list price. Pre-owned bands are rounded market ranges for October 2026; MYR ≈ USD × 4.08.
Two patterns stand out. First, the white gold Day-Date price on the used market sits below list in both sizes, because the metal looks like steel. By contrast, Everose and the fluted platinum models hold up best. The discontinued smooth-bezel 228206 is also worth watching as a cheaper route into platinum.
Rolex Day-Date price: what to buy and where
Which reference holds value
For resale, metal and dial decide almost every Day-Date price. The Everose 128235 is the firmest Day-Date 36, and many of its dials trade above list. The platinum 228236 does the same in 40 mm. Meanwhile, the white gold 128239 is the best value if you plan to keep the watch, since it sells well under retail.
Which is easiest to get at retail
Plain-dial white gold and yellow gold models are generally the easiest to obtain from an authorised dealer. By contrast, green, olive and stone dials are not, and they push the Day-Date price well above list. Because gold sets a floor under resale, standard dials carry less waitlist pressure than steel sports models. Our retail vs market guide explains the gap.
Buying a Day-Date in Malaysia
In Malaysia, official retailers such as Cortina Watch and The Hour Glass quote each Day-Date price in ringgit. For example, the yellow gold 128238 is RM198,900 and the platinum 128236 is RM277,500. Malaysian list prices run about 6% above the US list converted at 4.08, partly because they include tax. So for white gold in particular, a clean used example from a reputable dealer is often cheaper than new. Singapore dealers are a common cross-check.
Authentication notes for the Day-Date
Every genuine Day-Date shares a few tells. It is solid gold or platinum, so it feels heavy. The day name sits centred in an arched window. The President bracelet closes on a concealed Crownclasp. Also, hallmarks (750 or Pt950) hide between the lugs, and the caseback is always solid.
However, super clones copy most of these features. Redialled cases are also common, because rare dials add thousands to the price. Therefore, match the dial code on the warranty card and have a watchmaker open the case. Our real vs fake Rolex guide walks through each check, and box and papers explains what a full set should include.
Day-Date comparisons
Choosing a size? Start with Day-Date 36 vs 40. If you want a gold Rolex with a more practical complication, read Sky-Dweller vs Day-Date. And for the gold look at a lower price, the Datejust collection offers two-tone Rolesor versions.
Day-Date FAQ
Why is the Day-Date called the President?
The President bracelet, with semi-circular three-piece links, launched with the Day-Date in 1956. The watch then became associated with heads of state who wore it, and the bracelet name stuck to the whole model. Today almost every Day-Date is still sold on that bracelet.
Is the Day-Date only available in gold?
Yes, gold or platinum. Rolex makes the Day-Date only in 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, or in 950 platinum. There has never been a steel or two-tone Rolesor Day-Date, so any steel example is fake or modified.
How much is a Rolex Day-Date in Malaysia?
As of October 2026, Malaysian official retail starts at RM198,900 for a yellow gold Day-Date 36 128238 and RM218,200 for the 40 mm 228238. Platinum models run to RM277,500 (36 mm) and RM298,000 (40 mm). Pre-owned prices are often lower for gold, especially white gold.
Which Day-Date holds its value best?
Everose and platinum fluted-bezel models have been strongest, with the platinum 228236 trading above list. White gold trades below retail in both sizes. Special dials, such as olive green or stone, matter more than metal. See our used Rolex price guide.
Day-Date 36 or 40: which should I buy?
Choose by wrist, not by trend. The 36 mm suits wrists up to about 18 cm and is the historic size. The 40 mm, made since 2015, suits larger wrists and costs a little more. Our Day-Date 36 vs 40 comparison covers fit in detail.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.