Reference:218238 - Revision history

Admin: Style: canonical '== Sources ==' heading spacing per AGENTS.md

2026-08-08T21:31:32Z

Style: canonical '== Sources ==' heading spacing per AGENTS.md

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 8 August 2026
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	See also the [[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].		See also the [[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	==Sources==		== Sources ==

	* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra		* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra

Admin: SEO: clickable title + og:image + timestamps

2026-08-04T00:19:57Z

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Admin: Status: mark complete, remove Working Draft category (161-ref triage pass)

2026-08-04T00:13:26Z

Status: mark complete, remove Working Draft category (161-ref triage pass)

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	[[Category:Day-Date]]		[[Category:Day-Date]]
	~~[[Category:Working Draft]]~~
	[[Category:References]]		[[Category:References]]

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2026-08-04T00:11:27Z

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 218238 Day-Date II}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 218238 Day-Date II}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 218238 Day-Date II — 41mm Yellow Gold President, Caliber 3156, 2008–2015 \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex 218238 Day-Date II — 41mm Yellow Gold President, Caliber 3156, 2008–2015 \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 218238 is the Day-Date II — Rolex's only 41mm Day-Date, 2008–2015 Baselworld run on the cal 3156 with Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. 18k yellow gold case, fluted bezel, hidden Crownclasp on a 41mm President bracelet.		\|description=The 218238 is the Day-Date II — Rolex's only 41mm Day-Date, 2008–2015 Baselworld run on the cal 3156 with Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. 18k yellow gold case, fluted bezel, hidden Crownclasp on a 41mm President bracelet.
	\|keywords=Rolex 218238, Day-Date II, 41mm Day-Date, caliber 3156, Parachrom, Paraflex, hidden Crownclasp, 218239, 218235, 218206, Royal Khanjar		\|keywords=Rolex 218238, Day-Date II, 41mm Day-Date, caliber 3156, Parachrom, Paraflex, hidden Crownclasp, 218239, 218235, 218206, Royal Khanjar
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	\|modified_time=2026-06-~~29T01~~:18:~~47Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-08-03T21:37:34Z
	\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large		\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
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Admin: Fix category casing: working-draft -> Working Draft (consolidate tracking category)

2026-08-03T21:37:34Z

Fix category casing: working-draft -> Working Draft (consolidate tracking category)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:37, 3 August 2026
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	[[Category:Day-Date]]		[[Category:Day-Date]]
	[[Category:~~working-draft~~]]		[[Category:Working Draft]]
	[[Category:References]]		[[Category:References]]

Admin: Remove WatchBase / Watch-Wiki attributions from body prose per the no-dealer-attribution-in-prose rule - the cal 3156 plate dimensions, the 17-dial-code roster, the Tridor absence and the meteorite claim are all stated plainly instead. Footer citations unchanged

2026-08-03T14:38:16Z

Remove WatchBase / Watch-Wiki attributions from body prose per the no-dealer-attribution-in-prose rule - the cal 3156 plate dimensions, the 17-dial-code roster, the Tridor absence and the meteorite claim are all stated plainly instead. Footer citations unchanged

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 3 August 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\| dial codes documented		\| dial codes documented
	\| 17 across the family ~~(WatchBase)~~		\| 17 across the family
	\|-		\|-
	\| predecessor		\| predecessor
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	Every Day-Date before and after the 218238 sits at either 36mm (1803 through 118238, then 128238 from 2019) or 40mm (228 series from 2015). The 5mm case jump and the seven-year run combine to make the 218238 the most divisive Day-Date in the modern catalogue. Early-launch press read the proportions as overstated, with aBlogtoWatch calling the case "chunky" and the bezel "conspicuously wider than before"; the post-discontinuation collector market has read the same proportions as distinctive and the 218238 as a future-classic candidate.		Every Day-Date before and after the 218238 sits at either 36mm (1803 through 118238, then 128238 from 2019) or 40mm (228 series from 2015). The 5mm case jump and the seven-year run combine to make the 218238 the most divisive Day-Date in the modern catalogue. Early-launch press read the proportions as overstated, with aBlogtoWatch calling the case "chunky" and the bezel "conspicuously wider than before"; the post-discontinuation collector market has read the same proportions as distinctive and the 218238 as a future-classic candidate.

	The movement is the cal 3156, the cal 3155 architecture scaled up. ~~WatchBase lists a~~ 28.50mm ~~base~~ plate~~; Watch-Wiki cites a~~ 2.5mm wider ~~main plate~~ than the 3155~~, giving a 30.97mm overall dimension~~. That dimension is the architectural reason the movement exists. The 3156 was also the first Day-Date caliber to ship with both the Parachrom Blu hairspring (rolled out across Rolex from approximately 2005 but only universal on Day-Date from the 218238) and the Paraflex anti-shock system. The successor cal 3255 on the Day-Date 40 jumps the power reserve to approximately 70 hours across 14 patents.		The movement is the cal 3156, the cal 3155 architecture scaled up. The base plate measures 28.50mm and the overall main-plate dimension runs 30.97mm, 2.5mm wider than the 3155. That dimension is the architectural reason the movement exists. The 3156 was also the first Day-Date caliber to ship with both the Parachrom Blu hairspring (rolled out across Rolex from approximately 2005 but only universal on Day-Date from the 218238) and the Paraflex anti-shock system. The successor cal 3255 on the Day-Date 40 jumps the power reserve to approximately 70 hours across 14 patents.

	==Sub-reference table==		==Sub-reference table==
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	\|}		\|}

	Seventeen distinct dial codes are documented across the family ~~in the WatchBase reference database~~, the most exhaustive specific-dial roster published for the 218 generation.		Seventeen distinct dial codes are documented across the family, the most exhaustive specific-dial roster published for the 218 generation.

	There is no 218389 Tridor in the catalogue. Rolex discontinued the Tridor (tri-tone gold President) around 2000 with the 18239B closeout; no Tridor 218xxx appears in ~~WatchBase, dealer archives, or~~ the auction record. The modern-reference numbering scheme (last digit indicating metal: 8 yellow, 9 white, 5 Everose, 6 platinum) doesn't support a 218389 slot either. There is also no 218339 white-gold-diamond reference. The diamond-bezel white-gold 218xxx is the 218349; dealer listings citing "218339" are typos for 218239 or 218349.		There is no 218389 Tridor in the catalogue. Rolex discontinued the Tridor (tri-tone gold President) around 2000 with the 18239B closeout; no Tridor 218xxx appears in the auction record or in any published reference listing. The modern-reference numbering scheme (last digit indicating metal: 8 yellow, 9 white, 5 Everose, 6 platinum) doesn't support a 218389 slot either. There is also no 218339 white-gold-diamond reference. The diamond-bezel white-gold 218xxx is the 218349; dealer listings citing "218339" are typos for 218239 or 218349.

	==Movement notes==		==Movement notes==

	The cal 3156 carries 31 jewels, runs at 28,800 vph (4 Hz), holds approximately 48 hours of power reserve, and is COSC chronometer certified to the pre-2015 ±4 / +6 seconds per day standard. Double quickset advances day and date independently via the crown, the seconds hack, and the balance is the standard Glucydur with Microstella weight screws. The base plate measures 28.50mm with ~~the~~ 30.97mm overall main-plate dimension that ~~Watch-Wiki notes~~ runs 2.5mm wider than the cal 3155.		The cal 3156 carries 31 jewels, runs at 28,800 vph (4 Hz), holds approximately 48 hours of power reserve, and is COSC chronometer certified to the pre-2015 ±4 / +6 seconds per day standard. Double quickset advances day and date independently via the crown, the seconds hack, and the balance is the standard Glucydur with Microstella weight screws. The base plate measures 28.50mm, with a 30.97mm overall main-plate dimension that runs 2.5mm wider than the cal 3155.

	Two firsts for the Day-Date line landed on the 3156: the Parachrom Blu hairspring, which arrived across the Rolex catalogue from approximately 2005 but only became universal on Day-Date with this caliber, and the Paraflex anti-shock system. The 3156 retired in 2015/2016 with the Day-Date II discontinuation. The Day-Date 40 successor stepped to the cal 3255 with 14 patents, 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and Superlative Chronometer ±2-seconds-per-day certification. The cal 3156 sits as the bridge between the 3155 architecture of the 118238 era and the cal 3255 modern era.		Two firsts for the Day-Date line landed on the 3156: the Parachrom Blu hairspring, which arrived across the Rolex catalogue from approximately 2005 but only became universal on Day-Date with this caliber, and the Paraflex anti-shock system. The 3156 retired in 2015/2016 with the Day-Date II discontinuation. The Day-Date 40 successor stepped to the cal 3255 with 14 patents, 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and Superlative Chronometer ±2-seconds-per-day certification. The cal 3156 sits as the bridge between the 3155 architecture of the 118238 era and the cal 3255 modern era.
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	The platinum 218206 carries the ice blue dial, which is platinum-exclusive across the entire Rolex catalogue. The signature is not a 218xxx invention but it was cemented on this reference. Ice blue appears in three forms on the 218206: Roman (-0043), Arabic (-0010), and diamond Roman (-0052). The concentric-circle reading on the periphery, with darker-blue Roman numerals and matched hands, is the most-photographed configuration. Platinum also offered black Arabic (-0003), black diamond (-0020), silver diamond (-0009), and white Roman (-0053).		The platinum 218206 carries the ice blue dial, which is platinum-exclusive across the entire Rolex catalogue. The signature is not a 218xxx invention but it was cemented on this reference. Ice blue appears in three forms on the 218206: Roman (-0043), Arabic (-0010), and diamond Roman (-0052). The concentric-circle reading on the periphery, with darker-blue Roman numerals and matched hands, is the most-photographed configuration. Platinum also offered black Arabic (-0003), black diamond (-0020), silver diamond (-0009), and white Roman (-0053).

	A meteorite dial has been listed on dealer pages tagging "218239 meteorite," but no factory-catalogued example has surfaced in the auction record or ~~the WatchBase index~~. Documented examples place meteorite on the 228239-0055 Day-Date 40 baguette configuration rather than the 218xxx generation. Treat the 218 meteorite claim as unverified pending a primary Rolex catalogue confirmation.		A meteorite dial has been listed on dealer pages tagging "218239 meteorite," but no factory-catalogued example has surfaced in the auction record or in any published reference listing. Documented examples place meteorite on the 228239-0055 Day-Date 40 baguette configuration rather than the 218xxx generation. Treat the 218 meteorite claim as unverified pending a primary Rolex catalogue confirmation.

	Factory pavé in the 218 line surfaces on 218206-0052 (platinum diamond Roman) and 218235-0008 (Everose pink diamond). The factory-set ruby-and-diamond baguette champagne dial 218238 is one of the rarest configurations and trades in the high USD 50,000 range against USD 30,000–39,000 for the standard yellow gold 218238. Factory diamond hour markers appear on both the 218348 (yellow gold) and 218349 (white gold) alongside their diamond bezels. Production volume on the diamond-bezel siblings is small relative to the standard fluted-bezel references, and surfaced examples trade above USD 80,000.		Factory pavé in the 218 line surfaces on 218206-0052 (platinum diamond Roman) and 218235-0008 (Everose pink diamond). The factory-set ruby-and-diamond baguette champagne dial 218238 is one of the rarest configurations and trades in the high USD 50,000 range against USD 30,000–39,000 for the standard yellow gold 218238. Factory diamond hour markers appear on both the 218348 (yellow gold) and 218349 (white gold) alongside their diamond bezels. Production volume on the diamond-bezel siblings is small relative to the standard fluted-bezel references, and surfaced examples trade above USD 80,000.

Klaudiusz: Internal linking: related references + component links

2026-07-18T12:52:30Z

Internal linking: related references + component links

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	The 218238 launched at Baselworld 2008 alongside the Datejust II at a USD 27,650 MSRP for the base yellow gold and USD 30,150 with the 8 round + 2 baguette diamond dial. Rolex rolled out the random scrambled serial system catalogue-wide in 2010, and the 218238 production straddles the rollover. Late G-serial examples and random-serial post-2010 examples both surface in the secondary market through approximately 2012. Around 2012 Rolex executed the Sultan of Oman Royal Khanjar 218206 platinum commission, the caseback engraved with the Royal Khanjar crest. Baselworld 2015 brought the discontinuation: the Day-Date 40 (228xxx) launched at 40mm, replaced the Day-Date II 41mm outright, and continued the 36mm 118238 line until that line's own discontinuation in 2019.		The 218238 launched at Baselworld 2008 alongside the Datejust II at a USD 27,650 MSRP for the base yellow gold and USD 30,150 with the 8 round + 2 baguette diamond dial. Rolex rolled out the random scrambled serial system catalogue-wide in 2010, and the 218238 production straddles the rollover. Late G-serial examples and random-serial post-2010 examples both surface in the secondary market through approximately 2012. Around 2012 Rolex executed the Sultan of Oman Royal Khanjar 218206 platinum commission, the caseback engraved with the Royal Khanjar crest. Baselworld 2015 brought the discontinuation: the Day-Date 40 (228xxx) launched at 40mm, replaced the Day-Date II 41mm outright, and continued the 36mm 118238 line until that line's own discontinuation in 2019.


			== Related references ==

			* [[Reference:218206\|Day-Date 218206]] — 2008–2015
			* [[Reference:118235\|Day-Date 118235]] — 2005–2019
			* [[Reference:118208\|Day-Date 118208]] — 2000–2019
			* [[Reference:118238\|Day-Date 118238]] — 2000–2019
			* [[Reference:118138\|Day-Date 118138]] — 2013–2019
			* [[Reference:18208\|Day-Date 18208]] — 1988–2000

			See also the [[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	==Sources==		==Sources==

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2026-06-29T01:20:09Z

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	\|keywords=Rolex 218238, Day-Date II, 41mm Day-Date, caliber 3156, Parachrom, Paraflex, hidden Crownclasp, 218239, 218235, 218206, Royal Khanjar		\|keywords=Rolex 218238, Day-Date II, 41mm Day-Date, caliber 3156, Parachrom, Paraflex, hidden Crownclasp, 218239, 218235, 218206, Royal Khanjar
	\|image=Ref 218238 hero.webp		\|image=Ref 218238 hero.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex Day-Date II 218238 — 41mm yellow gold champagne diamond dial		\|image_alt=Rolex Day-Date II 218238 — 41mm 18k yellow gold, champagne diamond dial, fluted bezel, hidden Crownclasp on the 41mm President.
	\|type=Article		\|type=Article
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			\|modified_time=2026-06-04T04:40:11Z
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SEO: capitalize schema.org @type to "Article" for rich-result eligibility

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	\|image=Ref 218238 hero.webp		\|image=Ref 218238 hero.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex Day-Date II 218238 — 41mm yellow gold champagne diamond dial		\|image_alt=Rolex Day-Date II 218238 — 41mm yellow gold champagne diamond dial
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