The Timeless Allure of the Rolex Day-Date 36mm
We all have that moment—the one when we first encounter something that ignites a lifelong passion. For some, it’s an exquisite piece of art; for others, a marvel of engineering in the form of a supercar. For me, it was the first time I held a Rolex Day-Date 36mm in my hands.
To truly appreciate this, we have to journey back in time to a small village called Uddingston in Scotland. It was here that my Genesis moment occurred. A man named Robert Kelly handed me his Rolex Day-Date, allowing me to marvel at it for what felt like hours. This would become a recurring event in my life, and each time, the watch left a deeper impression on me.
A bit of backstory on Robert—he was as much a part of my fascination as the watch itself. Robert was a larger-than-life figure, a self-made man, and an everyman. He was a business owner and my mother’s boss, always seen driving his 500SEL Mercedes with three gold items on him: a gold packet of Benson and Hedges cigarettes, a solid gold Dunhill lighter, and, of course, his Rolex Day-Date.
As a young girl, a 36mm Rolex was no small watch. To this day, I wonder if my childhood memory of that watch is why I think modern Day-Dates look somewhat out of place. Or perhaps I’m just one of those purists who believes that 36mm is the only true size for a Datejust or Day-Date. On my slender wrist, the 36mm wears like an absolute dream. But this comes from someone who feels entirely comfortable in her 28mm Cartier Santos (which was, after all, the gentlemen’s size when it was released). There’s something inherently right about the 36mm size—considered a lady’s size by today’s standards, yet still manly enough for myself, Tony Soprano, and, unfortunately, the micro-handed 45th President of the United States.
In my current role within the watch industry and my personal life within the watch community, I’ve had the privilege to try on practically every watch you can imagine—tourbillons, minute repeaters, rattrapantes. Yet, none have left as lasting an impression on me as the Day-Date. Even fellow watchmakers, who have seen everything under the sun, seem a bit star-struck when they hold a Day-Date. Could it be all that gold? Or is it the perfect storm of gold, quality, and style?
In my youth, the Rolex Day-Date was the watch to own. Now, it’s been overshadowed by stainless steel models that are currently worth their weight in gold. The classic Rolex Day-Date 36mm offers some of the best value in the pre-owned Rolex market, but will its time in the sun ever return?
My first close encounter with a Rolex Day-Date happened when I was still a student. The watch left such a strong impression that I toyed with the idea of owning one someday. Just the other week, the time was finally right, and I bought myself a Day-Date 18238.
The Rolex Day-Date debuted in 1956, and not much about the watch has changed since then. That’s the power of such an icon—it doesn’t need much introduction. Available only in yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum, the Day-Date stands as a beacon of luxury. Although often called the “Rolex President” in the US, the term “President” actually refers to the type of bracelet the watch comes with. However, the association with US Presidents who wore the watch has cemented the nickname. In the Netherlands, where I live, we simply refer to it as the Rolex Day-Date, and everyone knows exactly which watch you mean.
My journey to owning a Day-Date wasn’t straightforward. Coming from a family that didn’t have a history with watches, the timepieces in our home were mainly Omegas. Rolexes were a rarity in our circles, making the Day-Date seem all the more out of reach. But as my interest in watches grew, the allure of the gold Day-Date became stronger.
In recent years, my appreciation for gold and bi-color watches has increased. After acquiring various gold timepieces, including the Speedmaster Moonshine Gold version in 2019, I stopped caring about what others thought. Today, with steel Rolex models commanding astronomical prices, it makes more sense than ever to consider gold watches like the Day-Date.
After much deliberation, I settled on the Day-Date 18238, a model produced from 1988 to 2000. This reference features a double quick-set day/date, thanks to caliber 3155, and a sapphire crystal. The era of this reference holds personal significance for me, as it aligns with fond memories of the 1990s.
The decision to finally purchase the Day-Date came at a watch get-together. After trying on a few Day-Dates, I became convinced that I needed one in my collection. A few weeks later, I sealed the deal on a Day-Date 18238, complete with a tight President bracelet.
Now that I own it, I can’t help but wonder why I didn’t make this purchase sooner. The watch has an incredible presence on the wrist, even at “just” 36mm. The President bracelet adds a level of heft and mass that feels just right. It’s a watch that makes me smile every time I wear it.
Although I have owned my fair share of Rolex watches, the Day-Date 18238 stands out as a personal milestone. It might not be an everyday watch for me, but it could easily be the only watch one needs to have. Owning this watch feels like a culmination of years of admiration and appreciation—a symbol of timeless elegance that will never go out of style.
Purchasing Experience:
I purchased this replica Rolex watch from the seller “fashion_watch888 Store” on DHgate (http://sale.dhgate.com/XbmB2r73). The seller is known for offering the best quality replicas available, and I can attest to the accuracy of their claim. Shipping was surprisingly fast, and the seller was prompt in responding to any concerns I had during the process. Overall, it was a seamless and satisfactory purchasing experience.
