Rolex Day-Date 36 128235 specifications
The technical sheet matches its yellow and white gold siblings. What differs is the alloy: Everose is Rolex's own pink gold, so the warm colour runs through the bezel, case and every link of the President bracelet.
| Reference | 128235 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Day-Date |
| Status | Current production |
| Introduced | 2019 |
| Predecessor | 118235 |
| Case diameter | 36 mm |
| Case material | 18 ct Everose gold |
| Bezel | Fluted 18 ct Everose gold bezel |
| Dial options | Chocolate, Sundust, White, Olive green, Eisenkiesel (stone), Diamond-set and stone variants |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens (2.5x) over the date |
| Calibre | 3255 |
| Movement | Automatic, Superlative Chronometer (-2/+2 sec/day after casing), Chronergy escapement, blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, instantaneous day and date with unrestricted rapid-set |
| Power reserve | 70 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Bracelet / strap | President, semi-circular three-piece links in solid 18 ct Everose gold, concealed folding Crownclasp |
| Retail price (US) | US$49,600 |
| US retail in MYR (converted) | ≈ RM202,400 at 4.08; Malaysian list price not published |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
History and reference evolution
Pink gold Day-Dates have existed for a long time, but the modern story starts with Everose. Rolex introduced the alloy in 2005 and casts it in its own foundry. Its aim was simple: a rose gold that stays rose, rather than fading over years of wear and polishing.
The step from 118235
Before 2019, the Everose Day-Date 36 was the 118235, powered by calibre 3155. Its successor, the Day-Date 36 128235, brought calibre 3255. That change lifted the power reserve from 48 to 70 hours and added the Chronergy escapement and a blue Parachrom hairspring. Rolex also refined the case and the President bracelet, which closes on a hidden Crownclasp.
Value-wise, the gap between the two generations is wider in Everose than in white gold. Buyers who choose pink gold tend to want the newest version, so the 128235 holds a firmer premium over the 118235.
A dial catalogue built for pink gold
Rolex gives this reference warm, earthy dials. For instance, chocolate is the classic pairing, and sundust offers a pale, peachy alternative. White, meanwhile, is the restrained choice. Olive green has become the dealer favourite, while the Eisenkiesel stone dial, a reddish mineral, is the rarest regular option. In 2023, a Puzzle version with an orange champlevé dial was also added as the 128235-0063.
Diamond and stone variants complete the list. In 2026, though, Rolex removed the turquoise stone dial from all Day-Date 36 models, including this one.
128235 pre-owned prices compared
Unlike the white gold 128239, this reference has an unworn band that runs above the US list. The figures below are for a standard dial, October 2026.
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$50,000 – US$56,000 | RM204,000 – RM228,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$44,000 – US$52,000 | RM180,000 – RM212,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$39,000 – US$44,000 | RM159,000 – RM180,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$35,000 – US$39,500 | RM143,000 – RM161,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 2 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$49,600. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
What moves the price of this reference
First, demand for the metal. Everose is the most sought-after Day-Date 36 alloy, and tracked values rose by about 15% over the past year. As a result, many dials trade above retail, which rarely happens with white gold.
Second, the dial. Again, olive green, chocolate and the stone dials lead. A white dial, by contrast, trades closer to the lower end of each band. Diamond dials add a premium on top.
Third, condition. Everose is soft enough that heavy polishing rounds the flutes quickly. An unpolished bezel is therefore worth a real premium. Bracelet stretch and missing papers pull the price down, as they do on every President. Our box and papers guide shows the typical gap.
Checking prices from Kuala Lumpur
Retail data for the 128235 is patchy. The US list price for a plain dial is US$49,600, from a single 2026 list source we could not reconfirm in October. Meanwhile, official-retailer feeds in October showed only gem-set dials, such as the 128235-0009 at US$52,800 and RM228,600 in Malaysia. So, ask your AD directly for the dial you want.
On the grey market, compare asking prices for the exact dial suffix rather than the reference alone. A chocolate dial and an Eisenkiesel dial can sit thousands apart. Auction results help for the stone dials, because they surface more often there than in dealer stock. For the broader picture, see our used Rolex price guide.
Spotting a price that is too low
Polished examples with aftermarket parts still trade around US$35,000 to US$39,500. Consequently, an "unpolished full set" priced under about US$35,000 (roughly RM143,000) is a warning sign. Likewise, an olive or stone dial offered at a white-dial price usually has a story behind it. Ask for the warranty card, and check that its dial code matches the watch.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 128235
Colour is the first giveaway on an Everose fake. Rolex's alloy has a stable, soft pink tone. Plated replicas often look too orange or coppery, and the plating thins where it rubs.
Where plating gives itself away
Look closely at the peaks of the fluted bezel and the edges of the bracelet links. On a genuine 128235, they show the same pink as the rest of the watch, even when worn. On a plated fake, these high points often reveal a paler or greyer metal underneath. Similarly, the flutes themselves should be crisp and evenly spaced.
Day, date and rehaut
First, the day window at 12 should be arched, with the full day name centred and evenly printed. Cramped or offset text is a classic replica fault. The date at 3 sits under a 2.5x Cyclops that should fill the lens with the numeral.
Genuine: rehaut engraving alignment
- Each engraved crown and letter lines up with its minute marker
- Engraving is crisp, even in depth, and readable at 12 o'clock
- Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 on modern pieces
Warning signs
- Letters drift between markers as they go around the ring
- Shallow, sandy-looking or uneven engraving
- Serial at 6 printed rather than engraved, or wrong format
At midnight, calibre 3255 changes the day and the date instantly. If either one crawls over several minutes, the movement is not genuine.
Genuine: date change behaviour
- Date snaps over within a minute or two of midnight
- Hands set back past midnight do not drag the date backwards
- Quick-set date clicks crisply in crown position 2
Warning signs
- Date starts moving around 22:00 and creeps until after midnight
- Half-turned date visible in the window for hours
- Quick-set feels gritty or needs several tries
Bracelet, caseback and hallmarks
Next, close the President bracelet. The Crownclasp should disappear completely, and a small coronet should lift to open it. The caseback is solid, plain and screwed down; a display back means it is not a genuine Day-Date. Under the bracelet, between the lugs, you should find the 750 hallmark and Swiss assay marks.
Genuine: caseback
- Solid Oystersteel or gold, fluted edge for the case wrench
- No engraving on most models (some are factory-engraved, e.g. Sea-Dweller and Deepsea)
- Display backs are factory-fitted only on certain models (e.g. some Daytona, 1908, Land-Dweller)
Warning signs
- Exhibition window on a model Rolex makes with a solid back
- Stickers or decorative engravings sold as 'factory'
- Back that turns too easily or sits proud of the case
What only a watchmaker can confirm
A super clone can match the colour, the weight and the dial closely. So only an opened case settles the question. A watchmaker will confirm calibre 3255, check the Parachrom hairspring and finishing, and verify that the dial, hands and crown are Rolex parts. In KL, independent watchmakers can do this before purchase, and the Rolex service centre can verify during a service.
Who the 128235 suits, and the alternatives
The 128235 suits buyers who want a gold Day-Date that feels less formal than yellow gold. Everose looks warmer and softer, particularly with dials like chocolate or olive. It also suits buyers who care about resale, since it is the firmest of the 36 mm metals.
Living with an Everose President
Day to day, Everose behaves like any 18 ct gold. It is softer than Oystersteel, so the polished centre links and the clasp cover pick up fine scratches within weeks. Most owners accept that as part of the look. However, resist frequent polishing, because every visit to the polishing wheel removes gold from the flutes and lug edges. A light refinish at a full service is usually enough.
The President bracelet deserves the most attention. Its three-piece links wear at the pins over years, and a stretched bracelet both looks tired and lowers resale. Regular cleaning helps, since grit trapped between links speeds the wear. Also keep the box, warranty card and any service papers together; for a pink gold Day-Date they can add thousands at resale, as our box and papers guide shows.
Alternatives to consider
If cost matters more than colour, the white gold 128239 usually sells under list. Alternatively, the Day-Date 40 228235 offers the same metal and olive dial in a larger case. Our 36 vs 40 comparison covers fit.
For the Everose look at a lower price, consider the Datejust 36 126231 in Everose Rolesor. And if you want a pink gold watch with more function, the Sky-Dweller vs Day-Date page sets out that choice.
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 40 228235
Everose gold President. Olive and chocolate dials lead; the strongest resale of the gold Day-Date 40s.
128235 FAQ
How much is the Rolex Day-Date 36 128235?
Our dataset lists US$49,600 for a plain-dial 128235 on the US 2026 list, but retailer feeds in October 2026 showed only gem-set dials, such as the -0009 at US$52,800 and RM228,600. Excellent used full sets sell for about US$44,000 to US$52,000, and unworn examples often exceed list.
Does Everose gold fade?
Rolex developed Everose, its own 18 ct pink gold alloy, to keep its colour over time. It contains a small amount of platinum to stabilise the tone. In normal wear it does not fade the way many older rose golds did. See our Rolex materials guide for details.
Which 128235 dial holds value best?
Olive green, chocolate and the stone dials lead the market. The Eisenkiesel stone dial is especially scarce. White and sundust dials are easier to find and trade closer to retail, which suits a buyer who wants to wear the watch rather than trade it.
Is the 128235 a good investment?
It has been the strongest Day-Date 36 metal, with tracked values up about 15% over the past year. However, that partly reflects gold prices and 2026 retail rises, which can reverse. Buy it because you want to wear it, and treat any gain as a bonus.
Is the Day-Date 36 Everose a women's watch?
No. The 36 mm size was the standard men's Day-Date for decades. Pink gold has a softer look, so it is popular with women too, but on a wrist up to about 18 cm it reads as a classic men's dress watch.
How do I spot a fake Everose Day-Date?
Look at the colour at the flute peaks and link edges. Plated fakes often look coppery and wear through to a different metal there. Also check the weight, the day window, the Cyclops and the concealed clasp. Then have a watchmaker open the case.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.