Rolex Day-Date prices start at $35,000 for a 36mm version and $38,500 for a 40mm version when purchased brand new from an authorized dealer at retail prices. However, the retail prices of a Day-Date, also known as a Rolex President watch, can quickly increase from there depending on the case and bracelet materials, as well as the use of diamonds. What’s more, prices of pre-owned Rolex Day-Date watches vary wildly on the secondary market with factors such as age, condition, style, and materials all impacting the overall cost. For instance, the cost of an older secondhand Day-Date President in yellow gold can start as low as $8,000 (with leather straps) and $10,000 (with bracelets) while a highly collectible platinum Day-Date with an ice-blue dial and numbers written in Arabic can cost around $350,000. Confusing, right? Our Rolex Day Date price guide below covers all the bases.
The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date model is a legendary Rolex watch, which as its name suggests, is equipped with the day of the week and date indications through two separate windows.
Using our comprehensive list of prices detailed below, you can now have a better idea of what the cost of a Rolex Day-Date President watch would be to buy – whether vintage, neo-vintage, or modern.
As always, feel free to reach out to us at LuxuryBazaar.com about the price of any particular Rolex Day-Date model — we either have it in stock at the best price or we can source it for you.
This particular Rolex model has developed a cult following and has even accompanied the history of a few U.S. Presidents. Along with being the go-to watch of some presidents and other people of influence, the Day-Date bracelet is also called the President bracelet. It’s not hard to see why the Day-Date is more commonly known as the Rolex President or Rolex Presidential.
The Day-Date is exclusively crafted in precious metals, such as gold and platinum, and Rolex positions it as its most prestigious timepiece. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the Rolex President is an expensive luxury watch. But, how much does a Rolex Day-Date cost?
As expected, the answer is not a straightforward one and how much you’ll pay for a Day-Date is dependent on a range of details. So if you’re interested to learn what those details are, keep on reading. Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the cost of Rolex Day-Date watches, where we outline the retail and market prices of modern models, as well as market prices of of vintage and neo-vintage references.
See Also:
How Much Can I Get for My Used Rolex Submariner?
How Many Links Does a Rolex Come With?
Breaking Down Rolex Prices: Retail vs. Actual Market for Top Models
The Cheapest (BUT BEST) Rolex Watches!
TOP Affordable Alternatives to ROLEX WATCHES! (Daytona, Submariner, GMT…)
Brief History of the Rolex Day-Date
In 1956, Rolex unveiled a new watch model called the Day-Date, which was the world’s first chronometer wristwatch that featured two windows to indicate the date and the day of the week written in full.
The original reference of 1956, the ref. 6510, had a 36 mm Oyster case and a screw-in crown, ensuring the watch was water resistant. For the next four decades, Rolex exclusively made the Day-Date available with a 36mm case.
The signature design of the Rolex Day-Date, with its two windows (the day window at twelve o’clock and the date window at three o’clock), was reputedly made to improve the readability of the watch when worn under the cuff of the shirt, and only half-exposed.
Over the years, the day indication has been translated into as many as 26 different languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Arabic, German, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Danish, Basque, Catalan, Ethiopian, Finnish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Moroccan, Norwegian, Farsi, Swedish, and Turkish.
Like many iconic watches, the Day-Date has changed very little from its introduction in 1956 and has continuously been refined to suit its customers’ desires. For instance, Rolex has added larger sizes to the collection to sit alongside the original 36mm version.
- 1956: Rolex introduces the 36mm Day-Date collection
- 2000: Rolex introduces the 39mm Day-Date Masterpiece
- 2008: Rolex introduces the 41mm Day-Date II collection
- 2015: Rolex replaces Day-Date II with Day-Date 40
In 2008, Rolex introduced a 41mm version of the same watch, the Day-Date II, but replaced it with a 40mm version in 2015, aptly called the Day-Date 40. The current Rolex Day-Date catalog now offers two sizes: 36mm and 41mm.
The Rolex Day-Date has housed several movements (including a quartz one) and is available in vast combinations of materials, dials, and bezels – between which the typical fluted one is the best-known.
Additionally, as with most Rolex timepieces, these watches are complemented by matching bracelets. While Rolex has paired the Day-Date with leather straps, curvy Pearlmaster bracelets, and sporty Oyster bracelets in the past, the classic choice is the semi-circular three-link President bracelet, which was originally designed for the very first Day-Date reference.
What Impacts the Cost of a Rolex Day-Date?
As mentioned, several factors will affect the price of a Day-Date including age, the rarity of a reference, diamond embellishments, and case materials. Even dials will have an impact on the cost. For example, “Stella” dials dating from the 1970s, which are colorful enamel dials in shades like red, blue, green, salmon, yellow, and green, are highly collectible and rare, therefore quite expensive.
The Day-Date President is only available in precious metals, like gold and platinum. There are no steel or two-tone versions. This fact explains its rarity and its high price point.
As always, you can look at the last digit of the Rolex reference number (five- or six-digit reference numbers only) to indicate the material used to make the watch:
- 8 = 18k Yellow Gold, e.g. Day-Date ref. 228238
- 9 = 18k White Gold, e.g. Day-Date ref. 228239
- 5 = 18k Everose Gold, e.g. Day-Date ref. 228235
- 6 = 950 Platinum, e.g. Day-Date ref. 228236
It’s important to point out that Rolex prices the yellow gold versions of the Day-Date less than the white and Everose gold versions. Of course, platinum Day-Dates are the most expensive of all. Rolex also made Tridor versions of the Day-Date for a short time, which combines yellow, white, and rose gold elements on one watch.
Note that customized and personalized Day-Date watches are much less valuable in the market than original variants – even if thousands of dollars worth of diamonds have been added. Aftermarket modifications will have a significant negative impact on the price of a Rolex Day-Date.
What follows is an almost complete list of the different versions of the Rolex Day-Date watch, accompanied by introductory notes about the various references. We will compare the following prices: current retail prices (September 2022), current average market prices (September 2022), average market prices from six months ago (March 2022), and average market prices from one year ago (September 2021).
How Much Does a Vintage Rolex Day-Date Cost?
The most common vintage Rolex Day-Date, ref. 1803, can be found for around $12,000 in good condition or about $7,500 without a bracelet. But that wasn’t the first model. The earliest Day-Date references were the ref. 6510 and the ref. 6511. These two references are among the rarest of the Rolex Day-Date lineup; they were only in production for just over a year due to some mechanical deficiencies. Following these, Rolex produced the ref. 66xx series of Day-Date watches, which benefited from improved movements, until 1959.
In 1959, Rolex found its stride with the Day-Date 18xx series, powered by better higher-beat movements. Rolex also expanded the collection with a range of exotic bezels, and while the vast majority were crafted in yellow gold, some white gold and rose gold models were made as well. Note that all of these early Day-Dates lacked quickset functionality, so to set the date, you simply had to advance the time over and over.
- 1956-1957: Day-Date 65xx Series (Caliber 1055)
- Ref. 6510
- Ref. 6511
- 1957-1959: Day-Date 66xx Series (Improved Caliber 1055)
- Ref. 6611
- Ref. 6612
- Ref. 6613
- 1959-1978: Day-Date 180x Series (Caliber 1555/1556)
- Ref. 1802 (Smooth bezel)
- Ref. 1803 (Fluted bezel)
- Ref. 1804 (Diamond bezel)
- Ref. 1806 (Florentine bezel)
- Ref. 1807 (Bark bezel)
- Ref. 1811 (Morellis bezel)
- 1978-1988: Day-Date 180xx Series (Caliber 3055)
- Ref. 18028 (Yellow gold, smooth bezel)
- Ref. 18038 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 18048 (Yellow gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 18078 (Yellow gold, bark bezel)
- Ref. 18039 (White gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 18049 (White gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 18079 (White gold, bark bezel)
- Ref. 18026 (Platinum, smooth bezel)
Vintage Rolex Day-Date watches can include any models produced from 1956 to the end of the 1980s. However, the most commonly found ones in today’s market will be the four-digit 180x and five-digit 180xx references. Here are the most common 4-digit vintage Rolex Day-Date prices, assuming an intact bracelet. Head-only examples can be found for thousands less:
4-Digit Vintage Rolex Day-Date Price Chart
| Day-Date Ref. | Avg. Market Price Feb. 2024 | Case Material | Bezel |
| 6611 | $27,000 | Yellow gold | Fluted |
| 6612 | $30,000 | Yellow gold | Fluted |
| 1802 | $15,200 | Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum | Smooth |
| 1803 | $12,900 | Yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold | Fluted |
| 1804 | $15,000 | Yellow gold or white gold | Diamond |
| 1806 | $25,000 | Yellow gold | Florentine |
| 1807 | $9,900 | Yellow gold or white gold | Barked |
| 1811 | $25,000 | Yellow gold | Morellis |
How Much Does an Oysterquartz Rolex Day-Date Cost?
Contrary to popular belief, Rolex has made its fair share of quartz models throughout its history. One example is the Oysterquartz Day-Date, introduced in 1977 and powered by the in-house-made Caliber 5055 quartz movement.
While the Oysterquartz Day-Date watch shared many design similarities with its self-winding Day-Date counterparts, the quartz version stands out for its very 1970s-style angular case shape and integrated bracelet.
Rolex made several Oysterquartz Day-Date models over the decades, but the most common is the yellow gold reference 19018, followed by the white gold reference 19019. There are some ultra-luxurious and highly rare versions of the Oysterquartz Day-Date, embellished with diamonds and other precious gems.
1977-2002: Oysterquartz Day-Date 19xxx Series (Quartz Caliber 5055)
Though the Oysterquartz series was in production for about 25 years, it’s estimated that Rolex only ever made 25,000 examples – including both Oysterquartz Datejust models and Oysterquartz Day-Date models. Here we’ll show you a chart of market prices for every Oysterquartz model. Prices are for standard dials, but note that the stunning burlwood dials can easily add $8,000 to the value.
Oysterquartz Day-Date Price Chart
| Reference Number | Market Price (Feb. 2024) | Case Material | Bezel | Bracelet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19018 | $12,000 | Yellow gold | Fluted | President |
| 19019 | $26,000 | White gold | Fluted | President |
| 19028 | $26,150 | Yellow gold | Pyramid | Pyramid President |
| 19038 | $24,700 | Yellow gold | Pyramid+diamond | Pyramid President |
| 19048 | $22,000 | Yellow gold | Diamond | President |
| 19049 | $35,000 | White gold | Diamond | President |
| 19058 | $60,000-$200,000 | Yellow gold | Square-cut diamond or ruby | President |
| 19068 | $25,000 | Yellow gold | Diamond | Pyramid President |
| 19078 | $300,000 | Yellow gold | Rainbow sapphire | President |
| 19148 | $60,000 | Yellow gold | Diamond | Diamond President |
| 19158 | $210,000 | Yellow gold | Gradient sapphire (semi-rainbow) | President |
| 19168 | $175,000-$300,000 | Yellow gold | Baguette gem-set (ruby, diamond or blue sapphire) | Octopussy |
| 19178 | $80,000 | Yellow gold | 8 square-cut gems at the top and bottom (rubies, sapphires, or emeralds) with 15 round diamonds on each side | President |
| 19188 | $100,000 | Yellow gold | Alternating pattern of 6 rubies and 5 diamonds | Diamond President |
| 19198 | $100,000 | Yellow gold | Alternating pattern of 3 gems (rubies, sapphires, or emeralds) and 1 diamond | Diamond President |
How Much Does a Single-Quick Rolex Day-Date Cost?
The five-digit reference Day-Date 180xx series, produced from 1977-1988, is powered by the Caliber 3055 movement. Thankfully, the 3055 has quickset functionality, so the date can be quickly set. However, the day still has to be set by advancing the time, which is why these are called “single-quickset” or just “single-quick” Day-Dates.
| Day-Date Ref. | Avg. Market Price Feb. 2023 | Case Material | Bezel |
| 18038 | $14,000 | Yellow gold | Fluted |
| 18039 | $15,000 | White gold | Fluted |
| 18039BIC | $16,000 | White gold (Tridor) | Fluted yellow gold |
| 18129BIC | $27,000 | White gold (Tridor) | Diamond |
Rolex watches from this era have an appealing mix of old and new. For instance, they have slim brushed lugs with older-style bracelets. However, they also benefit from modern touches like glossy dials with applied gold indexes, sapphire crystals, and higher-beat movements.
1988-2000: Day-Date 182xx Series and 183xx Series (Caliber 3155)
In 1988, Rolex debuted a new Day-Date movement called the Caliber 3155, which featured a double quickset to allow both the date and day to be set independently from the center hands. To house this movement, Rolex released the Day-Date President 182xx series. Rolex also manufactured the lavish gem-set Day-Date 183xx series during the same era, however, in much fewer quantities. There’s no hard-and-fast definition for the term “neo-vintage,” but it is often applied to watches from roughly this era.
Double-Quickset Neo-Vintage Day-Date Prices
| Reference | Market Price (Feb. 2024) | Case Material | Bezel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18238 | $15,750 | Yellow gold | Fluted |
| 18248 | $16,250 | Yellow gold | Bark |
| 18239 | $16,250 | White gold | Fluted |
| 18239BIC | $16,250 | White gold (Tridor) | Yellow gold fluted |
| 18249 | $28,000 | White gold | Barked |
| 18208 | $15,250 | Yellow gold | Smooth |
| 18206 | $28,000 | Platinum | Smooth |
| 18308 | $20,000 | Yellow gold | Barked with diamonds |
| 18338 | $22,000 | Yellow gold w/diamond lugs | Fluted |
| 18348 | $22,000 | Yellow gold | Diamond |
| 18388 | $28,000 | Yellow gold w/diamond lugs | Diamond |
| 18349 | $18,500 | White gold | Diamond |
| 18349BIC | $19,000 | White gold (Tridor) | Diamond |
| 18389 | $28,000 | White gold w/diamond lugs | Diamond |
| 18346 | $28,000 | Platinum | Diamond |
How Much Does a Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece Cost?
Introduced in 2000, the Masterpiece was a special collection of Day-Date watches that had 39mm cases, diamond embellishments, and Pearlmaster bracelets rather than the traditional President bracelets. Rolex manufactured the Day-Date Masterpiece range for less than 15 years and only made limited quantities. Therefore, these are quite rare to find in the secondary market.
2000-2014: Day-Date Masterpiece 189xx Series (Caliber 3155)
- Ref. 18948 (Yellow gold case, diamond bezel, yellow gold or Tridor bracelet)
- Ref. 18958 (Yellow gold case, baguette-cut diamond bezel, yellow gold or Tridor bracelet)
- Ref. 18946 (Platinum, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 18956 (Platinum, baguette-cut diamond bezel)
Day-Date Masterpiece Price Chart
| Day-Date Masterpiece Ref. | Case Material | Avg. Market Price (Feb. 2024) |
| 18948 | Yellow Gold | $44,000 |
| 18946 | Platinum | $50,000 |
How Much Does a Rolex Day-Date II Cost?
In 2008, Rolex introduced a new model, the Day-Date II with a 41mm case, which was significantly larger than the traditional 36mm diameter. In true Rolex fashion, the Day-Date II President was made available in various precious metals and dial styles. The Day-Date II was a short-lived collection; it was replaced in 2015 by the Day-Date 40 line.
2008-2015: Day-Date II 2182xx Series (Caliber 3156)
- Ref. 218238 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 218348 (Yellow gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 218235 (Everose gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 218239 (White gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 218349 (White gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 218206 (Platinum, smooth bezel)
Day-Date II Price Chart
| Day-Date II Ref. | Avg. Market Price Sep 2023 | Avg. Market Price Apr 2023 | Avg. Market Price Sept 2022 | Avg. Market Price March 2022 | Avg. Market Price Sept 2021 |
| 218238 | $40,100 | $40,800 | $46,900 | $47,300 | $43,900 |
| 218348 | $53,000 | $57,400 | $55,400 | $50,600 | $47,800 |
| 218235 | $48,500 | $50,600 | $57,200 | $62,500 | $47,900 |
| 218239 | $36,900 | $39,000 | $43,105 | $46,100 | $40,400 |
| 218349 | $52,600 | $52,700 | $43,400 | $46,800 | $40,600 |
| 218206 | $63,300 | $68,200 | $73,100 | $76,300 | $56,700 |
How Much Does a Modern Rolex Day-Date 36 Cost?
Generally speaking, modern Rolex watches are classified as those models with six-digit reference numbers that were released in 2000 or later. The Day-Date 36 has had two six-digit references series so far: the now-discontinued 118xxx series and the current 128xxx series, which debuted in 2019.
The Day-Date 36 118xxx series was not only a long-running one (manufactured for almost 20 years) but it was a widely varied collection. For example, along with the classic President bracelet, Rolex also fitted some Day-Date models with leather straps and Oyster bracelets. This series was also the first time that Rolex made an Everose gold President watch, crafted from the brand’s proprietary rose gold alloy.
2000-2019: Day-Date 36 118xxx Series (Caliber 3155)
- Ref. 118208 (Yellow gold, smooth bezel)
- Ref. 118238 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 118348 (Yellow gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 118138 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel, leather strap)
- Ref. 118239 (White gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 118389 (White gold, diamond bezel, diamond lugs)
- Ref. 118139 (White gold, fluted bezel, leather strap)
- Ref. 118205 (Everose gold, smooth bezel)
- Ref. 118235 (Everose gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 118135 (Everose gold, fluted bezel, leather strap)
- Ref. 118206 (Platinum, smooth bezel)
- Ref. 118346 (Platinum, diamond bezel)
While the Day-Date 36 President 128xx references look remarkably similar to their preceding 118xxx references, the newer versions benefit from new-generation Caliber 3255 movements. These movements now offer an increased power reserve rating of 70 hours (compared to 42 hours), as well as improvements in accuracy and durability.
2019-Present: Day-Date 36 128xxx Series (Caliber 3255)
- 128238 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel)
- 128348 (Yellow gold, diamond bezel)
- 128239 (White gold, fluted bezel)
- 128349 (White gold, diamond bezel)
- 128235 (Everose gold, fluted bezel)
- 128236 (Platinum, fluted bezel)
- 128396 (Platinum, diamond bezel)
Modern Rolex Day-Date 36 Price Chart
| Day-Date 36 Ref. | Retail Price Sep 2023 | Avg. Market Price Sep 2023 | Avg. Market Price Apr 2023 | Avg. Market Price Sept 2022 | Avg. Market Price March 2022 | Avg. Market Price Sept 2021 |
| 118208 | N/A | $24,500 | $25,800 | $25,200 | $27,000 | $22,500 |
| 118238 | N/A | $25,600 | $25,600 | $27,600 | $29,400 | $26,900 |
| 118348 | N/A | $42,200 | $39,500 | $42,100 | $41,000 | $32,900 |
| 118138 | N/A | $27,400 | $27,300 | $27,000 | $30,600 | $23,300 |
| 118239 | N/A | $25,000 | $24,500 | $25,300 | $26,800 | $21,600 |
| 118389 | N/A | $33,800 | $37,700 | $38,800 | $38,500 | $38,100 |
| 118139 | N/A | $19,800 | $19,900 | $23,100 | $25,300 | $20,100 |
| 118205 | N/A | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,300 | $29,600 | $24,800 |
| 118235 | N/A | $31,700 | $28,000 | $30,200 | $34,500 | $28,100 |
| 118135 | N/A | $21,400 | $21,900 | $23,000 | $26,400 | $20,400 |
| 118206 | N/A | $35,500 | $34,700 | $39,200 | $36,000 | $35,600 |
| 128238 | $35,000 | $39,200 | $41,500 | $48,500 | $44,000 | $39,100 |
| 128348RBR | $49,800 | $69,200 | $63,900 | $59,500 | $60,200 | $55,700 |
| 128239 | $37,900 | $34,600 | $39,300 | $36,500 | $37,300 | $32,600 |
| 128349RBR | $52,700 | $57,300 | $57,300 | $56,800 | $55,200 | $51,400 |
| 128235 | $37,900 | $42,500 | $43,900 | $45,000 | $51,800 | $36,300 |
| 128345 | $52,700 | $52,000 | $55,700 | $68,700 | $57,000 | $51,600 |
| 128236 | $58,900 | $60,300 | $61,100 | $72,900 | N/A | N/A |
How Much Does a Modern Rolex Day-Date 40 Cost?
The Day-Date 40 was introduced by Rolex in 2015, featuring a slightly more compact 40mm case compared to the 41mm diameter of the Day-Date II. Aside from the 1mm difference, the Day-Date 40 is also more graceful in its proportions than the sportier Day-Date II thanks to slimmer bezels, thinner lugs, and more slender profiles.
The Day-Date 40 also debuted a new-generation Caliber 3255 self-winding movement, which boosts power reserve up to 70 hours (compared to 42 hours) and provides enhanced precision and reliability. The Day-Date 40 is now the largest Rolex President watch in production, and command the highest prices in the secondary market.
2015-present: Day-Date 40 228xxx Series (Caliber 3255)
- Ref. 228238 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 228348 (Yellow gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 228239 (White gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 228349 (White gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 228235 (Everose gold, fluted bezel)
- Ref. 228345 (Everose gold, diamond bezel)
- Ref. 228206 (Platinum, smooth bezel, discontinued)
- Ref. 228236 (Platinum, fluted bezel, 2022 model)
Modern Day-Date Price Chart
| Day-Date 40 Ref. | Retail Price Sep 2023 | Avg. Market Price Sep 2023 | Avg. Market Price Apr 2023 | Avg. Market Price Sept 2022 | Avg. Market Price Mar 2022 | Avg. Market Price Sept 2021 |
| 228238 | $38,500 | $42,300 | $43,500 | $43,000 | $47,300 | $39,200 |
| 228348 | $55,700 | $59,000 | $57,900 | $58,300 | $59,600 | $46,300 |
| 228239 | $41,500 | $42,000 | $43,600 | $47,800 | $58,500 | $43,300 |
| 228349 | $58,700 | $62,100 | $66,100 | $70,500 | $61,600 | $50,600 |
| 228235 | $41,500 | $49,200 | $50,100 | $57,700 | $67,000 | $52,900 |
| 228345 | $58,700 | $71,100 | $67,100 | $78,100 | $85,700 | $60,800 |
| 228206 | $62,500 (last published March 2022) | $69,900 | $72,700 | $79,900 | $87,100 | $68,300 |
| 228236 | $63,350 | $85,200 | $97,500 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
1 Comment
The thing with an article about prices is that it’s already out-of-date the minute it’s printed, prices are changing so quickly now.