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The Rolex story

The Day-Date, reference by reference

Rolex's flagship since 1956, made only in precious metal. Here are the main references, in order, and what changed each time.

First made
1956
References shown
10
Status
In production
Vintage yellow gold Day-Date with a fluted bezel, champagne dial, and domed crystal on a brown leather strap
Photo: Isabel Garza · Unsplash License · cropped
Shown: a vintage yellow gold Day-Date of the 1803 era

The timeline

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  1. 1956
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 6510]
    REF. 6510 · 6511

    The first Day-Date

    Shown at the 1956 Basel fair: the first wristwatch to spell out the day of the week in full, plus the date. It had a fluted bezel, and Rolex introduced the President bracelet alongside it.

  2. 1957
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 6611]
    REF. 6611

    Certified accurate

    An improved calibre 1055 movement let the Day-Date earn its chronometer certificate, the official stamp of accuracy.

  3. 1959–77
    Vintage yellow gold Day-Date with a fluted bezel, champagne dial, and domed crystal on a brown leather strap
    Photo: Isabel Garza · Unsplash License · cropped
    Shown: a vintage yellow gold Day-Date of the 1803 era
    REF. 1803

    The classic

    A 36 mm case, fluted bezel, and President bracelet, in yellow, white, or rose gold or platinum. One of Rolex's longest-running references, and the last Day-Date with a “pie-pan” dial (a dial with sloped edges). The day was offered in many languages.

  4. 1977–88
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 18038]
    REF. 18038

    Sapphire and quick-set

    It looks almost the same as the 1803, but the plastic crystal became scratch-resistant sapphire, the date could be set quickly by itself, and the dial lost its pie-pan shape.

  5. Late 1970s–2000s
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 19018]
    REF. 19018SIDE ROAD

    The quartz Day-Date

    The Oysterquartz version: Rolex's own battery-powered Day-Date, made from the late 1970s into the early 2000s.

  6. 1988–2000
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 18238]
    REF. 18238

    Double quick-set

    New calibre 3155, the first Rolex movement where you can set the day and the date separately with the crown.

  7. From 2000
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 118238]
    REF. 118238

    The modern 36

    A new generation of the 36 mm Day-Date, still on calibre 3155 and the President bracelet.

  8. 2008–15
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 218238]
    REF. 218238

    Day-Date II: 41 mm

    A bigger 41 mm Day-Date with calibre 3156. It lasted only about seven years.

  9. 2015–today
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 228238]
    REF. 228238TODAY

    Day-Date 40

    Shown at Baselworld 2015, replacing the Day-Date II. A 40 mm case and the new calibre 3255, with Rolex's Chronergy escapement and about 70 hours of power reserve.

  10. Today
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 128238]
    REF. 128238TODAY

    Today's Day-Date 36

    The current 36 mm Day-Date, which replaced the 118238.

1956 · REF. 6510 · 65111 / 10

What never changed

THE DAY, SPELLED OUT

The day of the week written out in full, since 1956.

PRECIOUS METAL ONLY

Gold or platinum. The Day-Date is not made in steel.

THE PRESIDENT BRACELET

The rounded three-link bracelet that debuted with it in 1956.

Through every generation

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Sources and photo credits

Dates and reference years come from Rolex and the dealer and auction sources below. When sources disagree, we show a range or the word "about." Last checked November 7, 2026.

Sources

Photos