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.

[1William]

Good report. Thanks.

[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.

[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.

[ragingcao]

Great review and love that side by side shot.

[bkertzer89]

discount?

[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?

[jjnd08]

Great comparison picture!

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

Diamond bezel why, oh why?

I often wonder the same thing. But to each their own.

[1AP]

Man thanks for the pics. The DD40 finally got me considering a Daydate. RG/Chocolate Dial

[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.

[Willygallardo]

Beautiful piece 36 is a classic and will always be.
40 would be nice for modern time.
But they look so similiar you could hardly see the difference.
And your dial is way nicer:)
And rose gold looks like MK sorry ..

[opaline460]

Thanks for sharing Eric.

[Syed117]

I like the size, and maybe it's just me, but I don't like of any of those dials.

The cross pattern looks like a mess and the blue roman they've chosen for the platinum looks cheap.

The one with the vertical lines looks ok.

[Wing-Co]

Cheers, YG with batons I think looks best.