Rolex Day-Date 40 - Modernizing a Classic

[Eric Chan]

A call was placed by my contact at the AD earlier this afternoon advising they received their initial shipment of the Day-Date 40. Naturally, the need to see it kicked in and needless to say a visit was paid to him late this afternoon.

In their possession was a yellow gold, Everose gold and platinum model. After spending some time with these marvellous pieces, it can be said that they are truly stunning and amazing works of art. Rolex outdid themselves with the DD 40. For those who feel (I am not one of them) the DD II was disproportionate, should be more than satisfied with the proportions of the DD 40. As much as I liked the DD II, the DD 40 looks that much better and arguably is as classic looking as the DD.

The DD 40 is the perfect re-interpretation of the legendary and classic DD. It's size is appropriate for current times where many prefer larger watches. It does wear large on the wrist, but is re-styled in a way that is not too over-bearing and should fit most wrist sizes nicely. No one can predict the future, but personally, I feel the DD 40 is hear to stay. Costs for the YG and RG model are as follows:

228238: $40,050 CAD
228235: $43,150 CAD

I thought it would be nice to see a side-by-side comparison between the DD, DD 40 and the DD II. The DD II shown below was the only one the AD had left in stock in YG. It would have been preferable to photograph one without a diamond bezel as the diamonds make the bezel seem larger than it really is. The DD on the left is mine. The combination of questionable lighting at the AD and the I Phone camera unfortunately does no do these watches justice. Sorry.

Additional photos will be posted tomorrow.

[Danny83]

Wow they are mighty nice

[Naz737]

Thanks for the review! Great to see the 3 compared!

[Cru Jones]

very nice. for me, though, a DD will always look best at 36, which is why i thought the DDII was a good alternative. anyway, rolex didn't agree.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

very nice. for me, though, a DD will always look best at 36, which is why i thought the DDII was a good alternative. anyway, rolex didn't agree.

I agree, although I think the new DD40 is also very subtle and sophisticated compared to the DDII.

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

very nice. for me, though, a DD will always look best at 36, which is why i thought the DDII was a good alternative. anyway, rolex didn't agree.

I'm with you on the 36mm size of the Day-Date. That size is a classic (like the Datejust) and will always be in style. However, the DD 40 is a great alternative to suit the current styles of today, while keeping true to the original.

[1William]

Good report. Thanks.

[Racerdj]

Great report and photos! I agree with you

[brandrea]

Thanks Eric, great report

I tried on the YG DD40 this past week at my local AD. For some reason it didn't sing to me. Having said that I understand another AD in Toronto has them in stock in WG and Platinum. I'm off this weekend to see them.

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thanks Eric, great report

I tried on the YG DD40 this past week at my local AD. For some reason it didn't sing to me. Having said that I understand another AD in Toronto has them in stock in WG and Platinum. I'm off this weekend to see them.

Thanks Brian. The pleasure was all mine.

It's too bad the DD 40 did not sing to you. Maybe it will when you check out the WG and Platinum models this weekend.

[ragingcao]

Great review and love that side by side shot.

[bkertzer89]

discount?

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by bkertzer89

discount?

Yes. An incredible offer was made. It is just up to me to accept it. If you want to know, please PM me. All I can say is that in Vancouver (and most parts of Canada) you can expect at least 20% to 25% off a solid gold/platinum reference.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

Yes. An incredible offer was made. It is just up to me to accept it. If you want to know, please PM me. All I can say is that in Vancouver (and most parts of Canada) you can expect at least 20% to 25% off a solid gold/platinum reference.

Incoming?

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

Incoming?

Don't know yet. Really tempted with the DD 40, but still would love to get a YG GMT Master II or an Everose Gold Daytona. Now that all three are available at the same time, I really need to do some thinking.

[pd999]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

... in Vancouver (and most parts of Canada) you can expect at least 20% to 25% off a solid gold/platinum reference.

Thanks Eric! Will be visiting Toronto soon, so may look up the DD40. Assume those discounts are pre-taxes (provincial + federal)?

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by pd999

Thanks Eric! Will be visiting Toronto soon, so may look up the DD40. Assume those discounts are pre-taxes (provincial + federal)?

Yes, that is correct. Pre taxes.

[pd999]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

Yes, that is correct. Pre taxes.

Thanks Eric. I've heard that Alberta ADs are having a hard time due to the current oil crisis, and as taxes are even lower there than anywhere else in Canada, I may need to call a few up

[thomaspp]

Size and dimensions look god but that dial is not good....


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[mysticblu999]

Thanks for the pics. My Grail watch!

[Rags]

I'm not a fan of roman numerals or diamond bezels. The middle one looks great but it doesn't matter they're way out of my price range.

[subtona]

Nice comparison pic,

Is that DD40 a platinum w fluted bezel?

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by subtona

Nice comparison pic,

Is that DD40 a platinum w fluted bezel?

No. The only platinum DD 40 available is model 228206 , no fluted bezel available for it.

[jjnd08]

Great comparison picture!

I am a big fan of the stick dials, but I don't really like the new Roman Numeral dials.

[AK797]

Thanks Eric, keep the pics coming.

[captainnice]

Originally Posted by AK797

Thanks Eric, keep the pics coming.

[Lpugliese]

nice

[Sam Crow]

Thanks for the review and useful comparison pic! I'm an old school fan of the classic 36mm, but I have to say the 40mm certainly has nice proportions.

[tomchicago]

Diamond bezel why, oh why?

[Eric Chan]

As promised, here are some more pictures from my visit to the AD yesterday! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them. Again, apologies for the picture quality as the lighting in at the AD does not make it easy to take good picutres.

My personal favourite is the Everose Gold model. It is a shame they did not have more dial combinations available. More to come as the months go by as this was their initial shipment.