Day-Date · Generations
From the 1956 original to the Day-Date 40 — how the President evolved across seven decades.
The Day-Date's evolution mirrors the Datejust's but always in precious metal.
| Generation | Years | References | Key changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | 1956–1977 | 6511, 1803 | First spelled-out day; acrylic crystal; 36 mm President |
| Sapphire quickset | 1977–1988 | 18038, 18238 | Sapphire crystal, quickset day, calibre 3055 |
| Calibre 3155 modern | 1988–2019 | 18238, 118238 | Long-serving modern 36 mm, calibre 3155 |
| Day-Date II | 2008–2015 | 218238 | Larger 41 mm interlude |
| Current 40 / 36 | 2015–present | 228238, 128238 | Day-Date 40 and 36, calibre 3255, 70-hour reserve |
The Day-Date was 36 mm for over fifty years. The Day-Date II (41 mm, 2008) was a larger interlude; the Day-Date 40 (2015) settled on a more balanced 40 mm, and a current 36 mm (128238) continues the classic size. Platinum versions (228206) bring ice-blue dials.
Across every generation the Day-Date stayed precious metal only, kept the spelled-out day, and wore the President bracelet. Those constants are what make it the flagship; the changes are mostly crystal, movement, and size.
Generations FAQ
Broadly: the 1956 origin (1803), the sapphire-quickset 18038, the calibre-3155 modern (118238), the 41 mm Day-Date II, and the current Day-Date 40 (228238) and 36 (128238).
The Day-Date II (218238) was a larger 41 mm version made from 2008 to 2015, before the more balanced Day-Date 40 (228238) replaced it.
No — across every generation the Day-Date has been precious metal only, in gold or platinum, on the President bracelet.