Rolex Day-Date 40 228239 specifications
On paper, the 228239 matches its yellow gold sibling. The difference is the alloy: 18 ct white gold for the case, bezel and bracelet. That one change shapes its looks, its price and how you authenticate it.
| Reference | 228239 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Day-Date |
| Status | Current production |
| Introduced | 2015 |
| Predecessor | 218239 |
| Case diameter | 40 mm |
| Case material | 18 ct white gold |
| Bezel | Fluted 18 ct white gold bezel |
| Dial options | Silver, White, Blue, Black, Olive green, Diamond-set 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 white gold, concealed folding Crownclasp |
| Retail price (US) | US$54,200 |
| Retail price (Malaysia) | RM234,600 |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
History and reference evolution
White gold Day-Dates have always been the understated choice. Rolex has offered the President in white gold for decades, usually with a fluted bezel to catch light that the metal itself does not.
What the 228239 replaced
Its predecessor, the 218239, was a 41 mm Day-Date II. It ran from 2008 to 2015 with calibre 3156. Because white gold already looks like steel, the wider Day-Date II case made that watch read even more like a sports piece. Some owners liked that. Many did not.
In 2015 the 228239 arrived with the rest of the Day-Date 40 family. The case lost a millimetre and the lugs became slimmer and more tapered. On a white gold watch, that shape matters. It is what tells an observer this is a dress watch, not a steel Datejust. For value, the 218239 now trades below the 228239, largely because of that bulkier case.
The movement and bracelet
Calibre 3255 replaced the 3156. It carries the Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers and a 70-hour reserve. Meanwhile, the President bracelet gained ceramic inserts inside its links. White gold is soft, so those inserts help slow the stretch that older bracelets develop.
Dials and the 2026 price change
The dial menu is narrower than on yellow gold. Silver, white, blue and black form the core, with olive green and diamond-set options above them. The olive green dial on white gold has become a quiet favourite with collectors.
Retail climbed in 2026 as well. The olive dial version moved from US$51,600 to US$54,200 after Rolex's June gold adjustment. In Malaysia, the same watch now lists at RM234,600. Resale did not follow at the same pace, which explains much of today's discount.
228239 pre-owned prices compared
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$47,000 – US$53,000 | RM192,000 – RM216,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$42,000 – US$48,000 | RM171,000 – RM196,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$37,000 – US$42,000 | RM151,000 – RM171,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$33,500 – US$37,500 | RM137,000 – RM153,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 2 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$54,200. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
This is the most buyer-friendly Day-Date 40. An excellent full set at US$42,000 – US$48,000 sits roughly 17% below retail at the midpoint. Tracked market value rose about 15% over the year with gold. Even so, it still trails the list price.
What moves the price of this reference
Dial colour comes first. Blue and olive examples ask the most, while silver and white dials are the bargains. Next comes the metal itself. Because white gold resembles steel, buyers will not pay the premium that yellow gold or Everose can command. Diamond dials add value, though only with matching paperwork.
Condition then does the rest. A stretched bracelet, a polished bezel or missing papers each move the watch down a band. On white gold, polishing is easy to miss, so ask for close photos of the flute tips.
Where to check prices
For new pieces, the Malaysian AD list price is your ceiling. It is about 6% above the US price after conversion. For pre-owned, dealer asks in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are a useful start. Chrono24-style listings show the global range, but sort by dial, since blue and silver can differ by thousands. Auction results are thin for standard 228239s. Use them mainly for rare or gem-set dials. Our retail vs market price guide explains why some Rolexes trade below list.
When a price is too good to be true
Our polished-or-aftermarket band starts at about US$33,500. So a full-set 228239 asked at under US$33,000, roughly RM135,000, deserves real scrutiny. Also be cautious of "white gold" listings that show no weight, no hallmark photos and no card.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 228239
A white gold fake has an easy job visually. Steel looks almost identical, so most replicas of the 228239 are plain steel. Therefore the metal itself is your first test.
Weight and metal
The President bracelet exists only in precious metal. A genuine 228239 feels clearly heavier than any steel Rolex you have handled. Ideally, compare it on a scale against a known-good reference, or ask a jeweller to test the metal. Once the bracelet is off, look for the 750 and Swiss assay hallmarks between the lugs.
Rehaut and caseback
The inner bezel ring should carry ROLEX ROLEX engraved all around, with the serial number at 6. Letters should align with the minute markers.
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
Turn the watch over next. The 228239 has a plain, solid, screw-down back. A display window or decorative engraving means it is not original.
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
Day disc and seconds sweep
Check the arched day window at 12. The day should be spelled out in full, centred, in a clean font. Fakes often crowd the letters. Then film the seconds hand on a phone. Calibre 3255 beats at 28,800 vph, so the sweep looks smooth.
Genuine: seconds-hand sweep
- 28,800 vph: eight small steps per second, reads as a smooth glide on video
- Steady amplitude, no stutter when the watch is tilted
- A quiet, fine-grained ticking close to the ear
Warning signs
- Visibly choppier steps (often 21,600 vph or slower)
- A single one-second tick means a quartz movement
- Loud, rattly rotor noise when the watch is shaken
What only a watchmaker can confirm
Only an opened case proves the movement. A watchmaker will confirm calibre 3255, Rolex finishing and a correct rotor. They can also spot a relumed or refinished dial, which hurts value on any Day-Date. Our real vs fake Rolex guide lists further checks, and the serial number guide explains how to read the rehaut number.
Who the 228239 suits, and the alternatives
This reference suits someone who wants a Day-Date for themselves rather than for others. It is discreet in a boardroom and does not shout in public. For buyers in Malaysia, that low profile also has a practical side.
The fit suits most wrists between 16.5 and 19 cm. For a smaller wrist, see the Day-Date 36 128239 and our 36 vs 40 comparison. If you want obvious gold, the yellow gold 228238 holds value better. And if a white gold fluted bezel is the main appeal, the Datejust 41 126334 pairs one with a steel case for far less money.
Papers, links and servicing
Because the 228239 already trades under retail, missing items hit it hard. A watch without its card or extra links may sit unsold for weeks. So keep every removed link; in solid white gold, each one has real value.
At service, decide in advance whether you want the case polished. White gold hides light scratches well, so many owners skip it. That choice also protects the sharp flutes that buyers look for. Our service and value guide explains typical intervals and what a Rolex service includes.
Day-Date 36 128239
White gold President in 36 mm. Looks like steel, weighs like gold, and usually trades under list.
Day-Date 40 228238
Yellow gold President, fluted bezel, calibre 3255. Standard dials trade near retail; green dials above it.
228239 FAQ
Why does the white gold Day-Date 40 sell below retail?
Mostly because it does not look like gold. Many buyers pay for a Day-Date to be recognised, and white gold reads as steel from a distance. Retail also rose to US$54,200 in June 2026, while excellent full sets resell for about US$42,000–48,000.
How can I tell white gold from steel on a Day-Date?
Weight is the quickest test. Rolex never makes the Day-Date in steel, so a genuine 228239 has a solid white gold case and President bracelet that feel clearly heavier than any steel Rolex. Under a loupe, white gold also has a slightly warmer, greyer tone than polished Oystersteel. The 750 hallmark between the lugs confirms it once the bracelet is off.
Which 228239 dial holds value best?
Blue and olive green lead the 228239 market, and they are the easiest to resell. Silver and white trail them, which also makes those dials the cheapest way into the reference. Diamond-set dials add a premium, but only buy one with the matching dial code on the warranty card, since aftermarket stone dials are common.
Is a pre-owned 228239 cheaper than buying new in Malaysia?
Usually yes, by a clear margin. Malaysian retail is RM234,600, while an excellent pre-owned full set converts to roughly RM171,000–196,000 at 4.08 ringgit to the dollar. Even an unworn example with stickers often comes in below list. The trade-off is that you must authenticate it yourself, rather than relying on an authorised dealer.
Is the 228239 the same size as the Day-Date II 218239?
No. The 218239 was 41 mm with broad, flat lugs and calibre 3156. The 228239 is 40 mm with slimmer lugs, so it wears noticeably smaller and more like a dress watch. It also has calibre 3255 with a 70-hour reserve instead of the older movement's roughly two days.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.