Rolex Day-Date
Day-Date listings: price and sales statistics
- Listings for sale
- 8
- Median asking price
- $58,375
- Price range
- $11,500 – $81,570
- Made 1984–2025
- Sold listings
- 8
- Median asking price $54,853
Based on asking prices · 29 October 2026
About Rolex Day-Date
The Pinnacle of Prestige and Calendar Complications: Day-Date from 1956 to Today
Introduced by Rolex in 1956, the Day-Date made history as the first automatic wristwatch to display the day of the week spelt out in full at 12 o'clock alongside the date aperture at 3 o'clock. The model earned an exclusive position in the world of luxury watchmaking by being crafted solely in precious metals—such as yellow gold, white gold, Everose pink gold, and 950 platinum—without any stainless steel option. The iconic President bracelet featuring three-piece semi-circular links and the fluted bezel accompanying the model are among the key elements that render the design instantly recognizable at first glance.
Technical Evolution: From Single and Double Quickset to Calibre 3255
Transitions between references represent important technical milestones in the mechanical journey of the model. Included in the collection in the late 1970s, the 18038 is equipped with a sapphire crystal and calibre 3055 featuring a single quickset function to set the date independently. Introduced in 1988, the 18238 brought the convenience of a double quickset to the collection thanks to calibre 3155, allowing both the day and date displays to be adjusted independently via the crown. Emerging in the modern era with the Day-Date 40 series, references such as the 228238, the Everose gold 228235, the platinum-cased 228206, and the fluted-bezel 228236 are powered by the in-house manufacture calibre 3255 automatic movement offering a 70-hour power reserve and high magnetic resistance.
Details to Inspect When Choosing a Pre-Owned Rolex Day-Date
When evaluating a pre-owned Day-Date, priority should be given to ensuring that the factory chamfers on the lugs of the case have not thinned out or lost their form due to polishing, and that the ridges on the fluted bezel remain sharp. In the President bracelet made of heavy precious metals, stretching of the pins holding the links due to friction over time (bracelet stretch) is a common occurrence; therefore, the firmness of the bracelet and the closing resistance of the clasp mechanism must be carefully tested. Dial condition, period correctness of the hands and indices, and the box and papers status of the watch directly determine its condition.
Listings on Watchlabb come from sellers with verified identities and contact information as well as approved stores; private listings undergo editor review before going live. Transactions are conducted directly with the seller without intermediaries or commissions.
Rolex Day-Date — frequently asked questions
What is the difference between single quickset and double quickset in the Rolex Day-Date model?
On references with a single quickset like the 18038, only the date aperture is conveniently adjusted at the middle position of the crown; advancing the day disc requires turning the hands 24 hours. On double quickset calibres starting from the 18238, turning the crown in different directions at the same position allows both the day and date to be set quickly and independently. This mechanical upgrade provides significant practicality in setting the watch for daily use.
Why is there no stainless steel case option for Day-Date models?
Since its initial launch in 1956, Rolex has positioned the Day-Date model as the ultimate prestige symbol of its portfolio and has produced the case exclusively in 18 ct yellow gold, white gold, Everose pink gold, or 950 platinum. While watches like the Datejust or Explorer are manufactured in stainless steel or two-tone options, the Day-Date has never included a steel alloy in any of its standard production runs.
What are the differences between 36 mm and 40 mm Day-Date cases in terms of ergonomics and wrist fit?
The classic 36 mm case diameter offers a traditional dress watch posture that sits balanced on almost any wrist size thanks to its historic proportions and short lug-to-lug distance. Modern references with a 40 mm case diameter exhibit a contemporary silhouette with a wider dial area, re-proportioned lugs, and a more muscular wrist presence. Both sizes deliver high wearing comfort thanks to the President bracelet geometry that maintains a balanced center of gravity on the wrist.
How can you tell the condition of a President bracelet when buying a pre-owned Day-Date?
Depending on wear time, abrasion can occur in the gold pin housings between the links, leading to play known as bracelet stretch. When you hold the watch case horizontally and let the bracelet hang freely, the degree to which the links droop downwards gives a clear indication of the bracelet's firmness. Additionally, ensure that the screwed link connections are free from deformation and carefully test the closing resistance of the concealed Crownclasp.
How do you distinguish platinum Day-Date models from white gold versions?
Rolex predominantly equips its platinum models with a brand-exclusive ice blue dial option; this dial color is not offered on gold versions. Furthermore, whether featuring fluted or smooth bezel alternatives, the distinctive cool silvery tone of the platinum case and its significantly higher specific gravity compared to white gold create a clear difference. Platinum references such as the 228206 with a smooth bezel or the 228236 with a fluted bezel are also verified by platinum hallmarks on the case.