Rolex
Day-Date 36
128238
The 36 mm Day-Date reborn in 18k yellow gold with Rolex's modern Cal. 3255.
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Overview
The Rolex Day-Date 36 reference 128238 represents the current generation of Rolex's flagship dress watch, introduced in 2019 in an 18k yellow gold case measuring 36 mm. It carries the Cal. 3255 movement, one of Rolex's most technically advanced in-house calibres, and continues the Day-Date's defining tradition of displaying both the date and the full day of the week. Offered across a wide palette of dials — including champagne, green, white, and onyx — the 128238 sits at the heart of the Day-Date line.
History
The Day-Date was first introduced by Rolex in 1956 and has always been produced exclusively in precious metals, cementing its status as the marque's prestige dress reference. The 36 mm case size is the original and historically definitive diameter for the line, predating the larger 40 mm variant introduced in the 2000s. Reference 128238 succeeded the previous generation 118238, bringing with it the substantially upgraded Cal. 3255 movement, which offers improved precision, power reserve, and resistance to magnetic fields. Since its 2019 debut, the 128238 has become a cornerstone of the contemporary Day-Date catalogue.
Notable points
- Crafted entirely in 18k yellow gold — case, crown, and bracelet — in keeping with the Day-Date's precious-metal-only heritage.
- Powered by the in-house Cal. 3255, which features a Chronergy escapement, a 70-hour power reserve, and Rolex's Parachrom hairspring.
- The 36 mm diameter is the original Day-Date size, making the 128238 a direct continuation of the model's founding proportions.
- Dial variety is extensive: champagne and white suit formal wear, while green and onyx options cater to collectors seeking bolder character.
- The Day-Date's simultaneous display of the full day of the week and the date — both in a window on the dial — remains unique to this Rolex line.
