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|published_time=2026-05-24T20:53:04Z
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|modified_time=2026-07-18T12:59:48Z
|modified_time=2026-10-11T11:30:00Z
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<small>[[Main Page]] › '''Day-Date'''</small>
<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref day-date 1960-ad.webp|thumb|center|400px|alt=Vintage Rolex Day-Date print advertisement showing the watch and its calendar displays|Vintage Rolex Day-Date advertisement.]]
</div>


The Day-Date is Rolex's calendar watch with the weekday written in full at twelve o'clock and the date at three. It launched in 1956. Gold and platinum are the regular case materials, and Rolex dates the three-piece-link President bracelet to the same launch.
The Day-Date is Rolex's calendar watch with the weekday written in full at twelve o'clock and the date at three. It launched in 1956. Gold and platinum are the regular case materials, and Rolex dates the three-piece-link President bracelet to the same launch.
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Most vintage and earlier modern Day-Dates have a 36mm case. The 41mm Day-Date II arrived in 2008, followed by the Day-Date 40 in 2015. This guide covers selected references through the 118xxx generation, alongside Day-Date II and Oysterquartz.
Most vintage and earlier modern Day-Dates have a 36mm case. The 41mm Day-Date II arrived in 2008, followed by the Day-Date 40 in 2015. This guide covers selected references through the 118xxx generation, alongside Day-Date II and Oysterquartz.


[[File:Ref day-date 1960-ad.webp|thumb|center|400px|alt=Vintage Rolex Day-Date print advertisement showing the watch and its calendar displays|Vintage Rolex Day-Date advertisement.]]


== Common entry points ==
== Common entry points ==
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== Originals era (1956–1959) ==
== Originals era (1956–1959) ==


The smooth-bezel 6510 and fluted-bezel 6511 belong to the launch generation. The 66xx references followed during the late 1950s. Auction dates overlap the usual reference chronology: Phillips catalogues a 6511 as 1955 and a 6611 as 1956, while Rolex dates the public launch to 1956.
The smooth-bezel 6510 and fluted-bezel 6511 belong to the launch generation. The 66xx references followed during the late 1950s. Auction dates overlap the usual chronology: Phillips catalogues 6511 cases as 1955, Dorotheum gives case 166736 a 1956–57 model period, and another Dorotheum listing dates case 166744 circa 1965. Pergola's unofficial chart places 166744 in its 1956 band. The lot photograph offers no readable serial, leaving the catalogue and chart estimates in conflict. Treat them as individual estimates; they do not define the factory timeline.


The earliest watches also appear with different bracelets. Phillips's pink-gold 6511 in its 2015 sale has a President bracelet with a clasp stamped 2.57. That stamp dates the clasp; it does not prove when the watch head was made or which bracelet was delivered with it.
The earliest watches also appear with different bracelets. Jake Ehrlich’s Rolex Magazine labels a pictured 6511 “pre-Presidential” and shows it on a Jubilee bracelet; Phillips’s pink-gold 6511 in its 2015 sale has a President bracelet with a clasp stamped 2.57. The stamp dates the clasp; neither record proves which bracelet Rolex delivered with every watch.


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Caliber 1055 is associated with this generation, but catalogue entries are not fully consistent. Phillips lists 1555 for its 2015 lot 40 and 1055 for lot 41, both 6511s. A movement photograph or direct inspection is needed to resolve that difference; the reference number alone cannot do it.
Caliber 1055 is associated with this generation, but catalogue entries conflict. Phillips lists 1555 for its 2015 lot 40, and Dorotheum lists 1555 for its 2026 lot 255; six other located non-prototype 6511 lots list 1055, including a 2017 Dorotheum lot for case 166744. Phillips dates Cal. 1555 to 1959, later than the dates assigned to the two 1555-labelled cases. Each entry is a catalogue attribution; keep the label tied to its lot pending movement inspection. [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080219/247 Phillips on Cal. 1555]; [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/10072651/ Dorotheum, ref. 6511, lot 255]; [https://www.dorotheum.com/de/l/604595/ Dorotheum, 2017, ref. 6511/8]


== 4-digit era (1959–1977/78) ==
== 4-digit era (1959–1977/78) ==
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|-
|-
| [[Reference:1804|1804]] || 1960s–1970s || 1555 / 1556 || Gem-set || Gold and platinum examples; Phillips documents a platinum watch with Eastern-Arabic numerals
| [[Reference:1804|1804]] || 1960s–1970s || 1555 / 1556 || Gem-set || Gold and platinum examples; Phillips documents a platinum watch with Eastern-Arabic numerals
|-
| 1805 || Field Manual lists 1959–1987 || 1555 (Field Manual) || Diamond-and-sapphire (Field Manual) || Attributed textured-bezel examples leave original fitment unresolved
|-
|-
| [[Reference:1806|1806]] || Documented c.1961 || 1555 / 1556 || Florentine || Engraved texture on bezel and lugs; matching textured bracelets are documented
| [[Reference:1806|1806]] || Documented c.1961 || 1555 / 1556 || Florentine || Engraved texture on bezel and lugs; matching textured bracelets are documented
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| [[Reference:1831|1831]] || Documented 1977 || 1566 in Phillips lot 51 || Platinum, diamond-set || Angular case and integrated bracelet; Phillips example numbered No.5
| [[Reference:1831|1831]] || Documented 1977 || 1566 in Phillips lot 51 || Platinum, diamond-set || Angular case and integrated bracelet; Phillips example numbered No.5
|}
|}
The Vintage Rolex Field Manual describes ref. 1805 as a yellow-gold Day-Date with caliber 1555 and a diamond-and-sapphire bezel (printed pp. 180–181, 184). The 2025 article “Eastern Arabic Dial 1805 Rolex Day-Date” attributes a pink-gold watch with a textured “piranha” bezel to 1805. Archived item 334103 attributes a yellow-gold watch to the same reference; its photographs show a patterned bezel, though the listing text does not name the finish. Neither page shows a case-reference engraving or original papers, so original bezel fitment remains unresolved.


Phillips describes the 1831's proposed commission for the Shah of Iran's household as apparent. Its catalogue also presents the eight-watch production figure as a belief. Neither claim is a confirmed factory total or delivery record.
Phillips describes the 1831's proposed commission for the Shah of Iran's household as apparent. Its catalogue also presents the eight-watch production figure as a belief. Neither claim is a confirmed factory total or delivery record.
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|-
|-
| 18079 || Documented 1978 || 18k white gold || Bark || Phillips records bark on the bezel and bracelet centres
| 18079 || Documented 1978 || 18k white gold || Bark || Phillips records bark on the bezel and bracelet centres
|-
| [[Reference:18108|18108]] || Documented c.1985–86 || 18k yellow gold || Bark, diamond-set || Auction records also show lacquer, onyx, and wood dials
|-
|-
| 18026 || Documented c.1979 || Platinum || Smooth || Sotheby’s records caliber 3055 and a platinum President bracelet
| 18026 || Documented c.1979 || Platinum || Smooth || Sotheby’s records caliber 3055 and a platinum President bracelet
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== 6-digit era (2000–2019) ==
== 6-digit era (2000–2019) ==


The 118xxx generation retained caliber 3155 and the 36mm diameter, with revised lugs and a heavier, solid-link bracelet. Engraved rehauts appeared during the run. Caliber 3255 replaced the 3155 in the 36mm line in 2019.
The 118xxx generation retained caliber 3155 and the 36mm diameter, with revised lugs and a heavier, solid-link bracelet. Engraved rehauts appeared during the run. Caliber 3255 replaced the 3155 in the 36mm line in 2019. A 118399 BR auction example carries a Rolex guarantee dated 2022; that date establishes the watch's paperwork, not when the reference entered or left production.


Pink gold needs a separate date check. Rolex introduced its Everose alloy in 2005, but Christie's records a pink-gold 118205 with a March 2001 guarantee. Sotheby's also catalogues a rose-gold 118235 as circa 2000. Its title calls the watch Everose, which conflicts with Rolex's alloy chronology.
Pink gold needs a separate date check. Rolex introduced its Everose alloy in 2005, but Christie's records a pink-gold 118205 with a March 2001 guarantee. Sotheby's also catalogues a rose-gold 118235 as circa 2000. Its title calls the watch Everose, which conflicts with Rolex's alloy chronology.
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|-
|-
| 118239 || 2000s–2010s || 18k white gold || Fluted bezel; President bracelet
| 118239 || 2000s–2010s || 18k white gold || Fluted bezel; President bracelet
|-
| [[Reference:118399|118399]] / 118399 BR || Rolex lists 118399 (2011); 118399 BR (2013, 2015); one example has a 2022 guarantee || 18k white gold || 60 baguette diamonds; Oyster or President options
|-
|-
| [[Reference:118208|118208]] || 2000s–2010s || 18k yellow gold || Smooth or domed bezel; Oyster-bracelet examples documented
| [[Reference:118208|118208]] || 2000s–2010s || 18k yellow gold || Smooth or domed bezel; Oyster-bracelet examples documented
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* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/day-date/those-who-shape-the-world Rolex, Day-Date chronology]
* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/day-date/those-who-shape-the-world Rolex, Day-Date chronology]
* [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, Day-Date section and reference table, printed pp. 180–184]
* [https://assets.rolex.com/api/brochure/en/day-date/m128345rbr-0053.pdf Rolex, Day-Date brochure, President bracelet and Everose gold]
* [https://assets.rolex.com/api/brochure/en/day-date/m128345rbr-0053.pdf Rolex, Day-Date brochure, President bracelet and Everose gold]
* [https://minus4plus6.com/RolexPricelist/2011/2011_usa_price_list.pdf Rolex, US price list effective 10 May 2011]
* [https://www.thewatch.co.il/image/users/190146/ftp/my_files/ROLEX/rolex-2013.pdf?id=13691453 Rolex, Day-Date “Sertie” Baselworld 2013 product material]
* [https://www.rolexforum.nl/prijslijst-rolex-NL2015.pdf Rolex, Netherlands price list, February 2015]
* [https://newsroom.rolex.com/watches/new-watches-2024/day-date Rolex, 2024 Day-Date announcement, caliber 3255 chronology]
* [https://newsroom.rolex.com/watches/new-watches-2024/day-date Rolex, 2024 Day-Date announcement, caliber 3255 chronology]
* [https://www.vrfm.io/Scans/CALIBER-5035-5055-TECHNICAL-INFORMATION.pdf Rolex, Technical Information for calibers 5035 and 5055, printed pages 5–6]
* [https://www.vrfm.io/Scans/CALIBER-5035-5055-TECHNICAL-INFORMATION.pdf Rolex, Technical Information for calibers 5035 and 5055, printed pages 5–6]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/40 Phillips, Glamorous Day-Date lot 40, reference 6511]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/40 Phillips, Glamorous Day-Date lot 40, reference 6511]
* [https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2008/06/original-yellow-gold-rolex-day-date.html Jake Ehrlich, RolexMagazine.com, pictured 6511 with Jubilee bracelet]
* [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/10072651/ Dorotheum, 2026, ref. 6511, lot 255]
* [https://www.dorotheum.com/de/l/604595/ Dorotheum, 2017, ref. 6511/8, case 166744]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080219/247 Phillips, Cal. 1555 context]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/41 Phillips, Glamorous Day-Date lot 41, pink-gold 6511]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/41 Phillips, Glamorous Day-Date lot 41, pink-gold 6511]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/50 Phillips, Glamorous Day-Date lot 50, German-dial 6611]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/50 Phillips, Glamorous Day-Date lot 50, German-dial 6611]
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* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-rolex-day-date-a-complete-collectors-guide Sotheby’s, Day-Date collector guide]
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-rolex-day-date-a-complete-collectors-guide Sotheby’s, Day-Date collector guide]
* [https://hairspring.com/blogs/finds/eastern-arabic-dial-1805-rolex-day-date 2025 article, “Eastern Arabic Dial 1805 Rolex Day-Date”]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/day-date/rolex-day-date-watch-in-yellow-gold-ref-1805-circa-1969-334103.html Archived Collector Square item 334103]
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-day-date-1956-present-president-watch-in-depth-review/ Monochrome, Day-Date history]
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-day-date-1956-present-president-watch-in-depth-review/ Monochrome, Day-Date history]
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-day-date-2013-collection/ Robert-Jan Broer, Fratello, Day-Date 2013 Collection]
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-day-date-2013-collection/ Robert-Jan Broer, Fratello, Day-Date 2013 Collection]
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