3 on the desk · authenticated
Independent pre-owned dealer — not an authorized Rolex dealer and not affiliated with Rolex.
Vintage hunters chase the 1803 and 18238 for patina and slim cases; modern buyers want the current 128xxx and 228xxx with the Cal. 3255 movement and easier service access. Both trade actively. The Day-Date has only ever come in 18k gold or platinum, never steel. We quote trade-level on every variant. Settle by wire and the card fee disappears. Liquidity stays consistent across the line.
Every card shows the card price and the wire price side by side.
Available to order
Special order — sourced dealer-direct, delivered 7–10 business days after payment, quote confirmed at current market, final sale. Request any reference; we locate it to your spec.
Buying guide
Two size families define the modern market: the classic 36mm (refs 1803, 18238, 128238, 128239, 128345) and the larger 40/41mm variants (refs 218238, 228348). All cases are solid 18k yellow, white, or Everose rose gold — no stainless steel exists in this line. Diamond bezels (RBR suffix) and gem-set dials carry the highest premiums; fluted or smooth bezels typically offer stronger value retention. President bracelet condition — end-links, clasp, and stretch — is a decisive pricing factor. Dial originality matters enormously: untouched stone, lacquer, and factory gem dials are prized. Vintage references (1803, 18238) attract patina-focused collectors, while current 128xxx and 228xxx pieces deliver modern Cal. 3255 movement technology and broader service access.
First generation (1956–c.1977): refs 1802–1808, slim profiles, gilt dials. Second generation (c.1977–2000): refs 18038/18238, quickset date added. Modern era (2000s–present): 118xxx/218xxx, then current 128xxx/228xxx with Cal. 3255 and expanded 40mm sizing.
References on the desk now: 218235, 218238, 218239.
$10,370–$200,647 spans entry vintage yellow-gold to fully iced diamond-set modern references; plain-bezel yellow-gold pieces anchor the low end, gem-set white-gold commands the ceiling. Current live range: $43,277 – $46,460. Prices shown are the full card price; bank-wire payment skips the 3.5% card-processing fee.
Model names, references and specifications are referenced from the official Rolex Newsroom (www.rolex.com). Trademarks and product imagery rights remain with the manufacturer; product photography shown is of our own inventory.
Tell us what you’re hunting. The desk sources it.
In-stock Rolex Day-Date 41mm pieces are held at our store at 650 S. Hill St., Suite 317, in the middle of the downtown Los Angeles jewelry district — not in someone else’s showcase. We own the in-stock pieces we list, which is why the number on the page starts from a trade number rather than a retail one. References marked “Special order” are not in stock and are sourced for you after you order.
Every listing carries two figures: the card price, which is the price shown, and the wire price, which leaves out the 3.5% card-processing fee. If you are local you are welcome to come and see the piece on the bench before you buy — call the desk first and it will be out and ready. If you are not, it goes out overnight and fully insured.
More about the desk · How it ships · Selling a Rolex instead
The desk sits at 650 S. Hill St. in the downtown jewelry district. Call ahead and the pieces you want to see will be out and ready.
