Rolex

Day-Date 40
Oyster, 40 mm, yellow gold
M228238-0059

Model availability

Reference

228238

Model case

Oyster, 40 mm, yellow gold

Water-resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Bezel

Fluted

Dial

Onyx set with diamonds

Bracelet

President, semi-circular three-piece links

Movement

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

Calibre

3255, Manufacture Rolex

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Onyx dial

Each dial is a miniature work of art. The colour, reflections and surface texture, along with decorative elements and the overall design give the watch its intrinsic character. Rolex masters all aspects of its dial creation and production in-house. From the initial sketches to the final inspection, including colouring or the application of appliques, the process involves a series of steps and operations that call on specific expertise. Some of these professions – enamelling, for instance – date from the early days of watchmaking. Others are inherent to the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as magnetron sputtering, a complex technique for colouring the surface of a dial by depositing a thin film of material in a vacuum environment. A meeting of traditional skills and technology, the manufacture of Rolex dials perfectly encapsulates the philosophy that guides the brand: seeking the highest level of quality to achieve an impeccable, long-lasting result.

Fluted bezel

The Rolex fluted bezel is a mark of distinction. Originally, the fluting of the Oyster bezel had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. It was therefore identical to the fluting on the case back, which was also screwed onto the case for waterproofness, using specific Rolex tools. Over time, the fluting became an aesthetic element, a genuine Rolex signature feature. Today the fluted bezel is a mark of distinction, in gold on this Day-Date 40.

18 ct yellow gold

By operating its own exclusive foundry, Rolex has the unrivalled ability to cast the highest quality 18 ct gold alloys. According to the proportion of silver, copper, platinum or palladium added, different types of 18 ct gold are obtained: yellow, pink or white. They are made with only the purest metals and meticulously inspected in an in-house laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, before the gold is formed and shaped with the same painstaking attention to quality. Rolex’s commitment to excellence begins at the source.

Model availability

All Rolex watches are assembled by hand with the utmost care to ensure exceptional quality. Such high standards naturally restrict Rolex production capacity and, at times, the demand for Rolex watches outpaces this capacity.

Therefore, the availability of certain models may be limited. New Rolex watches are exclusively sold by Official Rolex Retailers, who receive regular deliveries and independently manage the allocation and sales of watches to customers. Precision Watches is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Retailers and can provide information on the availability of Rolex watches.