Scale: 40 mm case
Rolex
Day-Date 40
228238-0042
$50,400
Office, formal, everyday
The Day-Date 40 is the most complete solid gold watch you can wear every day. Calibre 3255 gives 70 hours and two seconds a day, the day and date jump instantly at midnight, and the case is rated to 100 m, which few gold dress watches bother with. The current President bracelet uses solid links and ceramic inserts to resist the stretch older versions were known for. It wears closer to 39 mm, but the yellow gold is loud and marks easily.
A solid gold dress watch with a full day display and 100 m of water resistance.
Specifications
| Diameter | 40 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 12.2 mm |
| Lug to lug | 47.2 mm |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Case | 18k yellow gold |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops lens over the date |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Calibre | 3255 |
| Power reserve | 70 hours |
| Accuracy | −2 / +2 s per day after casing (official, Superlative Chronometer) |
| Strap | 18k yellow gold President bracelet, concealed Crownclasp |
Pros
- Day and date change instantly at midnight
- 70 hours and two seconds a day
- Solid link President bracelet resists stretch
- Rated to 100 m, unusual for gold
Cons
- Polished yellow gold shows hairline scratches fast
- Very loud on the wrist for some owners
- Movement finishing is plain and hidden
Rivals
Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G, A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1, Cartier Santos de Cartier large in yellow gold
What owners say
RolexForums members agree it can be worn daily, but the polished gold bracelet picks up hairline marks within weeks, and some still worry about bracelet stretch over decades. Several owners measure it nearer 39 mm and say it wears smaller than the number suggests. Unlike the steel sports models, it can usually be bought without a long wait.
Sources
- rolex.com Official
- chrononautix.com Review · German list price from €46,300 since 1 January 2026
- watchcharts.com Review · US retail $50,400
- watch.the1916company.com Review · Tim Mosso measurement: 12.2 mm thick, 47.2 mm lug to lug
- ablogtowatch.com Review
- timeandtidewatches.com Review · Calibre 3255 Chronergy escapement and 70 h reserve
- monochrome-watches.com Review · 2015 launch, slimmer case sides and lugs
- rolexforums.com Forum · Owner measured 39.25 mm diameter and 47.25 mm lug to lug
- rolexforums.com Forum
- rolexforums.com Forum · Debate on how easily 18k gold scratches
Some figures could not be verified: Euro price is the German 2026 'from' figure reported by Chrononautix, not read from rolex.com, and may differ by dial. Index style for the -0042 white dial was not confirmed on the official page. Lume not confirmed, left null. No Reddit threads surfaced; forum sources are RolexForums.