Rolex Day-Date 40 “228238”

Rolex Day-Date 40 “228238”

The 228238 is part of Rolex’s Day-Date 40 line, which combines classic elegance with modern case proportions. Its case is a 40 mm diameter and crafted entirely from 18 ct yellow gold, giving a bold, luxurious presence on the wrist. The bezel is fixed and fluted, another immediately recognizable Rolex signature — the fluting here is not just decorative but rooted in Rolex tradition, though in modern examples it’s mostly aesthetic. The watch is topped with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, complete with the Cyclops magnifier over the date window at 3 o’clock, enhancing legibility. Rolex ensures the watch is water-resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet, thanks to the screw-down crown and the Oyster case construction.

Inside this reference lives Rolex’s calibre 3255, a recent generation movement designed for improved precision, shock resistance, and longer power reserve. It offers about 70 hours of power reserve when fully wound, and is officially certified as a Superlative Chronometer (that is, it meets standards of −2 / +2 seconds per day after casing, among other performance criteria).

The dial in this variant is white lacquer, polished and clear, with applied hour markers often in Roman numerals (though dial versions vary). Rolex creates the white lac­quer dial by applying multiple (six) layers of lacquer over a brass base, then finishing with a varnish and final polish to achieve that depth and consistency. The hands and markings are in gold (matching the case material), helping ensure both legibility and resisting corrosion or tarnishing.