The ultimate watch of prestige
The Day-Date has always epitomized prestige and innovation. Exclusively made from precious metals, it was the first calendar wristwatch to indicate, in addition to the date, the day of the week spelt out in full in a window on the dial. Rolex is releasing the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 950 platinum – easily recognizable thanks to its ice-blue dial – with a fluted bezel for the first time. A cornerstone of Rolex’s aesthetic heritage, this striking component, which is found only on some Classic models in the Oyster Perpetual collection and until now has only been made in 18 ct gold, now exists in the most prestigious metal available.
Rolex Day-Date 40: An Elegant Investment
The Day-Date 40 is one of Rolex's most popular dress watches. With 40-mm cases crafted from precious metals, these models are suitable for men and women alike. The Day-Date has also proven to be an attractive investment.
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40-mm Precious Metal Case With Day-Date Display
The Day-Date 40 joined the Rolex catalog in 2008. In terms of aesthetics, the 40-mm models are identical to the 36-mm editions introduced back in 1956. The Day-Date 40 models thus have a simple dial design with either diamond indices, baton indices, or Roman numerals. However, the distinctive details on these timepieces are the date display complete with Cyclops lens at 3 o'clock and the day of the week display at the 12 o'clock position. Rolex mounts all versions on a President bracelet.
Similar to all other Day-Date models, the Day-Date 40 is crafted exclusively from platinum or yellow, white, or rose gold. When it comes to the dial, you can choose between classic colors such as black, silver, and gold, or opt for more fashion-forward hues such as ice blue, sundust, and green. For the bezel, Rolex offers a timeless, fluted bezel, or one set with diamonds.
Every Day-Date 40 is powered by the automatic, in-house caliber 3255 with chronometer certification. This movement offers a power reserve of 70 hours and boasts Rolex's patented blue Parachrom hairspring and Chronergy escapement.
All Day-Date 40 models have seen strong value appreciation in recent years. These Rolex watches have thus become attractive investment pieces. The ref. 228239 performed the best financially, appreciating by some 113% in two years. One of the most expensive Day-Date 40 models is the ref. 228396TBR, which as of June 2022, requires an investment of over 175,000 USD.
Prices: Rolex Day-Date 40
| Day-Date ref. | Value appreciation,* price (approx.) | Features |
| 228239 | 113%, 65,000 USD | White gold case, fluted bezel, green dial |
| 228235 | 109%, 69,000 USD | Rose gold case, fluted bezel, green dial |
| 228349RBR | 100%, 101,500 USD | White gold case, diamond bezel, silver dial |
| 228398TBR | 96%, 104,500 USD | Yellow gold case, diamond bezel, black dial |
| 228396TBR | 92%, 178,000 USD | Platinum case, diamond bezel, ice-blue dial |
| 228345RBR | 49%, 83,500 USD | Rose gold case, diamond bezel, brown dial |
| 228238 | 17%, 52,000 USD | Yellow gold case, fluted bezel, gold dial |
| *between June 2020 and June 2022 |
How much does a Rolex Day-Date 40 cost?
The yellow gold ref. 228238 costs around 52,000 USD new and is thus a relatively affordable Day-Date 40 model. For roughly 65,000 USD, you can get the white gold ref. 228239 with a green dial. Of course, models featuring diamonds have a heftier price tag. For example, the yellow gold ref. 228398TBR has a bezel set with sapphires, and requires an investment north of 100,000 USD. More extravagant models such as the ref. 228396TBR can even push the 178,000 USD mark. This sum will get you a platinum Day-Date 40 with an ice blue dial.
About the Yellow Gold Day-Date 40
Rolex Day-Date 40 models under the reference number 228238 are made of yellow gold and offer different dial designs. New timepieces with a black dial and gold baton indices cost around 56,000 USD, after appreciating in value by around 83% between June 2020 and June 2022. The white dial version with gold Roman numerals demands slightly less at around 51,000 USD. This model saw a value increase of close to 66% over the same period.
At Baselworld 2022, Rolex introduced the reference number 228238, which features a green dial and gold Roman numerals. Waiting lists for this model at offline retailers are long, and prices on the secondary market are on the rise as a result. While Rolex lists this Day-Date 40 for 37,450 USD, prices on Chrono24 in June 2022 had exceeded 100,000 USD.
A more affordable alternative is the version from 2015 with a gold sunburst dial and baton indices. In June 2022, pieces in mint condition changed hands for around 52,000 USD. Compared with prices in June 2020, this model has seen a value increase of almost 72%.
Rose Gold Day-Date 40
If you like the warm glow of rose gold Day-Date models, check out the ref. 228235. This timepiece features a white dial and Roman numerals coated in rose gold, and cost around 58,000 USD new. Between June 2020 and June 2022, the value of this reference increased by 78%.
Fans of the chocolate brown dial, baton indices, and diamond-set bezel configuration will need to invest around 83,500 USD. This model has also performed well, appreciating by around 82% since June 2020.
The Day-Date 40 ref. 228235 also comes with an olive green sunburst dial with Roman numerals. As of June 2022, you can expect to pay around 78,500 USD for one of these timepieces, which corresponds to a value appreciation of a staggering 126%.
The edition with a pink dial offers both elegance and modernity in equal measure. This timepiece has all but doubled in price since June 2020, and now demands upwards of 60,000 USD. If you are looking for a more refined timepiece, take a look at the rose gold Day-Date 40 with a gray dial. It changes hands for around 64,000 USD new, more than double what it cost in June 2020.
White Gold Day-Date 40 Models
The Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR is crafted from white gold and pairs a black sunburst dial with a diamond-set bezel. One of these Rolex watches in mint condition will set you back around 70,000 USD (as of June 2022). The value of this model has increased by 32% in the last two years. If you prefer the silver dial, prices will climb to around 100,000 USD – double what this model was worth in 2020.
If you want your Day-Date 40 to have a green dial, Roman numerals, and a fluted bezel, the ref. 228239 is a good choice. You will need to invest around 66,000 USD in this reference, as it appreciated by 116% between June 2020 and June 2022.
Prices for the version with a silver dial and Roman numerals came in at around 67,500 in June 2022. You can save a couple thousand dollars if you opt instead for the ref. 228239 with a slate gray dial and baton indices. This model sells for around 60,000 USD, which corresponds to a value appreciation of 68%.
Platinum Day-Date 40 Models
In mid-2022, the most expensive Day-Date 40 watch was the platinum edition under the reference number 228396TBR. The ice blue dial is particularly popular, and is complemented by a diamond-set bezel. While Rolex only reveals the price for this model on request, according to prices on the Chrono24 marketplace, you will need at least 175,000 USD to call one of these Rolex watches your own. Compared to 2020, this Day-Date 40 model has almost doubled in value.
In March 2022, Rolex unveiled another platinum Day-Date 40 model under the reference number 228236. The watch giant decided to do away with the diamonds, opting instead for a fluted bezel. There are no surprises inside the case, where you will find the tried-and-tested caliber 3255. Once again, Rolex only discloses the MSRP on request, but it is most likely just over the 60,000 USD mark. At the time of writing in June 2022, there were no listings for this timepiece on Chrono24. Based on experience, the new ref. 228236 is likely to demand considerably higher prices than the official list price once listings do start cropping up.