Rolex Day-Date 36 vs 40
On recorded sales with box and papers, the Day-Date 36 128238 is worth about $45,100 and the Day-Date 40 228238 is worth about $44,600. Below: what sets them apart in our catalog, how much evidence backs each figure, and how their prices have moved.
The references
Day-Date 36 128238. In production, part of the Day-Date line. Our catalog records: 36 mm 18 ct yellow gold case, fluted, 18k yellow gold bezel, Calibre 3255. 10 sold results back its range, from eBay and auction sales; the newest is from June 24, 2026.
Day-Date 40 228238. In production, made 2015–present, part of the Day-Date line. Our catalog records: 40 mm 18k yellow gold case, fluted, 18k yellow gold bezel, Rolex calibre 3255. 74 sold results back its range, from eBay and auction sales; the newest is from October 1, 2026.
On worth-about figures, the Day-Date 36 128238 costs about 1% more than the Day-Date 40 228238.
Specs
| Detail | Day-Date 36 128238 | Day-Date 40 228238 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Day-Date 36 | Day-Date 40 |
| Production years | Not recorded | 2015–present |
| Status | In production | In production |
| Case size | 36 mm | 40 mm |
| Case material | 18 ct yellow gold | 18k yellow gold |
| Bezel | fluted, 18k yellow gold | fluted, 18k yellow gold |
| Dial | Not recorded | Not recorded |
| Movement | Calibre 3255 | Rolex calibre 3255 |
| Retail | Not confirmed | €46,700–€57,500 (retail list price in France per 41watch and Monochrome Watches, January 2026, depending on dial and bracelet) |
Prices
| Detail | Day-Date 36 128238 | Day-Date 40 228238 |
|---|---|---|
| Worth about | $45,100 | $44,600 |
| Typical range, box and papers | $29,300–$62,700 | $29,000–$61,800 |
| Watch only (about) | $23,500–$50,300 | $23,300–$49,600 |
| Unworn | Too few unworn sales | $44,900–$66,1007 sales |
| Confidence | Moderate | Moderate |
| Volatility | Too few recent sales | Volatile |
| Last 12 months | ▲22% in 12 months | ▲14.1% in 12 months |
| eBay sold median, 12 months | $42,000 (3 sales) | $44,500 (31 sales) |
| Auction sold median, 12 months | None | None |
| Sold results behind the range | 10 | 74 |
| Newest sale | June 24, 2026 | October 1, 2026 |
Box and papers, private-sale level: how we value a Rolex.
Price history
| Detail | Day-Date 36 128238 | Day-Date 40 228238 |
|---|---|---|
| Records start | No long-range record | 2016 |
| First full year median | Less than five years of records | $24,4002016, Forum, 8 posts |
| Last 12 months median | None | $57,20032 posts |
| Change over the record | None | +134% |
| Highest median | None | $60,000 (2026-Q1) |
Forum figures are the price a seller listed when the post was marked sold, not a confirmed sale price.
Which has held its value better?
Over the last 12 months the Day-Date 36 128238 moved most in its favour (▲22% in 12 months), against ▲14.1% in 12 months for the Day-Date 40 228238.
Over each one's full record: the Day-Date 40 228238 is up 134% since 2016 (forum medians). The Day-Date 36 128238 has less than five years of records, so no long comparison yet.
The Day-Date 40 228238 market is volatile over the last 90 days of sales.
Past prices do not predict future ones.
Which one is for you
Price barely separates them: the Day-Date 36 128238 and the Day-Date 40 228238 are within about 1% of each other on worth-about figures, so condition and set will matter more than the reference.
Evidence is deepest for the Day-Date 40 228238, 74 sales, and thinnest for the Day-Date 36 128238, 10 sales; resale offers for the thinner one will vary more.
Momentum favours the Day-Date 36 128238, whose twelve-month median moved 7.9 points more than the Day-Date 40 228238's.
For a long track record, the Day-Date 40 228238 has the deepest one here, measured from 2016. The Day-Date 36 128238 has under five years of record.
A missing box and papers costs about the same on each, roughly 20%, because they share a measured ratio.
Beyond these two: every published reference by size
36 mm
48 references in our catalog, 19 with a published range.
- Lowest: Day-Date 1807, $10,400
- Middle: Day-Date 36 118205, $22,600
- Highest: Day-Date 36 128235, $50,100
40 mm
11 references in our catalog, 5 with a published range.
- Lowest: Day-Date 40 228239, $41,900
- Middle: Day-Date 40 228235, $50,700
- Highest: Day-Date 40 228236, $72,600
Frequently asked questions
Which is more expensive, the Day-Date 36 128238 or Day-Date 40 228238?
On recorded sales with box and papers, the Day-Date 36 128238 is worth about $45,100, the Day-Date 40 228238 about $44,600.
What is the difference between the Day-Date 36 128238 or Day-Date 40 228238?
From our catalog, they differ in case size (36 mm on the Day-Date 36 128238, 40 mm on the Day-Date 40 228238).