Rolex Day-Date - which one to buy?

[RobertW777]

Seems that between the models 18238, 118238, and 128238 there are some minor differences. However the pricing can be drastically different.

The 18238 has hollow bracelet while the 118238 is solid bracelet and better clasp after p serial. Model 128238 there is a big price jump seems. Between models are the premium you pay worth it or is it just paying because its a newer watch year wise?

Anyone who owned these various models can you chime in what's your opinions? Which model gets you the most quality for the money if they are in identical condition?

[Watchman001]

18238

[S’portEye]

Best bang for buck is 18238.

[RobertW777]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

Best bang for buck is 18238.

Compared to model 118238, is it prone to bracelet stretch more because of the hollow links?

[lord91]

The 128238 is also the only reference with the ceramic sleeves for the pins. This will help reduce the wear of the bracelet.

With the same reference stated, you get the integrated end links design. The dials have a more modern touch while remaining as timeless as ever.

Years back, i wanted the green dial 118238. I couldn't get it back then. Now i have the green 128238 and i'm completely convinced it all happened to my favour in the end, as i would have drooled for a 128238 now instead of the 118238.

Good luck with your choice!

[RobertW777]

Originally Posted by lord91

The 128238 is also the only reference with the ceramic sleeves for the pins. This will help reduce the wear of the bracelet.

With the same reference stated, you get the integrated end links design. The dials have a more modern touch while remaining as timeless as ever.

Years back, i wanted the green dial 118238. I couldn't get it back then. Now i have the green 128238 and i'm completely convinced it all happened to my favour in the end, as i would have drooled for a 128238 now instead of the 118238.

Good luck with your choice!

Good point with the ceramic sleeves. Seems the disadvantage with the 128238 is the price is almost 2x what a 118238 costs. Is it a 2x better watch?

Its possible to rebuild the bracelet on the prior model. A brand new Rolex president bracelet is around ~$10k. At that point you basically have a like new watch.

[lord91]

Originally Posted by RobertW777

Good point with the ceramic sleeves. Seems the disadvantage with the 128238 is the price is almost 2x what a 118238 costs. Is it a 2x better watch?



Its possible to rebuild the bracelet on the prior model. A brand new Rolex president bracelet is around ~$10k. At that point you basically have a like new watch.

2x better watch? No. Your point is also valid, so it's up to you how much you feel is right to spend for this watch. Personally, i don't regret any penny spent on my Day-Date. It's a keeper no matter what, without a doubt. You do what's best for you

[jb335]

Every couple years I get bit by the vintage/neo-vintage DD bug and start this research and internal debate. So many great arguments for each reference, I can never decide so I’m still sans DD. Sad.


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[0nly5iv3Digits]

18238 - for me, the best.

[yowlie]

18238 is a beautiful watch which I highly recommend (unpolished of course). I have not had the others. But I do think the later models may have a polished lug and more rounded appearance.

[RobertW777]

Interesting comments lots of love for the 5 digit 18238! Less weight is not necessarily a bad thing the watch will wear lighter. Surprised tons of preference for the 18238 over the 118238 model.

From a farther distance seems like it would be quite difficult to tell a difference between the 18238, 118238, and 128238.

[rmagoo57]

I'm waiting for the perfect 118239 to cross my path. Too much bracelet to case slop on the 5-digits for me.

[jacowestt]

Between the Rolex Day-Date models 18238, 118238, and 128238, the 118238 usually offers the best value for the money. It has a solid bracelet and refined clasp, giving a modern feel without the high price of the newest 128238, which mainly costs more due to its newer movement and production year. The 18238 is more affordable but has a hollow bracelet and older clasp, making it feel less luxurious.

If you're after the best blend of quality and price, the 118238 is often seen as the sweet spot.

[Daytonaman799]

118238 is the best blend but the improvements on the newest models are great. Best bang and dial variety are still the18238.

[MichelleP]

I prefer the 118238. I've had both and like the 6 digit better

[Case61]

I have a vintage (ca. 1977) 1803 that I bought in Malta years ago, complete with italian day dial. I love it to death and wear it often. 36 mm is a classic size. You just can't be too particular about keeping up with the date (it's a pain to set).

[jgottsman11]

I've had all three iterations. the 18238 is the keeper for me. the way it feels on the wrist and the proportions and brushed lugs is class. Value wise too is insane

118238 is garbo. 128238 is another amazing watch because they fixed the proportions and added ceramic sleeves. Great watch but I still like 18238 better

[jb335]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

I've had all three iterations. the 18238 is the keeper for me. the way it feels on the wrist and the proportions and brushed lugs is class. Value wise too is insane

118238 is garbo. 128238 is another amazing watch because they fixed the proportions and added ceramic sleeves. Great watch but I still like 18238 better

how the heck is the 118238 garbage???

[RobertW777]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

18238 - for me, the best.

Curious what makes it better than 118238?

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

I've had all three iterations. the 18238 is the keeper for me. the way it feels on the wrist and the proportions and brushed lugs is class. Value wise too is insane

118238 is garbo. 128238 is another amazing watch because they fixed the proportions and added ceramic sleeves. Great watch but I still like 18238 better

Why do you feel the 118238 is garbo compared to the 18238 what's advantages/disadvantages? From research i was pretty set on the 118238 model many people are saying they took the 18238 and made it much better.

They are similar but the 118238 proportions of the case lugs are larger than 18238. Also the 118238 is heavier that can be a plus or minus. Now I'm very curious what makes the 18238 better?

[Kenny G]

118238

[worldfamoussam]

I've had the 18038, 18238 and the 118239 (which is the white 118238) as well as the 228238 & 218238.

Of the 36s, the heavier 118239 was my favorite. I liked the substance of it. It's less prone to stretch, although it doesn't have ceramic sleeves, the bracelet holds up nicely over time. The 18238 feels a little smaller, and I like the size of the 118238.

[Phrank]

Looked long and hard to find a pristine 18238, dial had to be perfect, bracelet in excellent condition, and as new as possible.

Finally found essentially a "safe Queen", sticker was still on the caseback, original box and papers, had it serviced with no polish in 2019.

It's a great watch, you can essentially wear it anywhere and do anything. Brought 2 watches to Aruba and ended up never taking the Day-Date off my wrist.

Rolex Day-Date, 18238, A-Serial (1999), silver dial and sticks.

[EvelynWaugh]

118238

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by jb335

how the heck is the 118238 garbage???

Garbo is an exaggeration. That being said, the soft rounded polished lugs on the 118238 are just so bad compared to the 18238 and 128238 lugs

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by RobertW777

Which model gets you the most quality for the money if they are in identical condition?

For that specific question, I’d say 18238 by a nose over 118238. Aside from quality too, the variety of the 5-digit dials is sooo much better.

(E.g., a minty Tapestry dial carries little or no premium over a commodity champagne dial.)

[geoach]

18038 for me a bit thicker case and bigger case around early 80s, 79....also less gold removed inside the case.....setting the day takes a few seconds more no big deal

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by geoach

18038 for me a bit thicker case and bigger case around early 80s, 79....also less gold removed inside the case.....setting the day takes a few seconds more no big deal

Same for me. Prefer the 1978 to 1983ish fat case 18038’s as they ‘wear’ larger than 36mm and the single quick is easy to set. 18238 does have the upgraded 3155 movement which improved upon a few weak points in the 3055 movement but as long as you service a 3055 at proper intervals it will work flawlessly.

[illiguy]

I like the brushed lugs and double quick of the 18238. Old gold at its finest.

[miamiclay]

Also, FYI OP, there are a good many TRF threads directly about making a choice between the 18238 and the 118238 (fewer with the 128238).

See the first several pages here (beyond the first dozen or so posts, which just link back to this thread) -
https://www.rolexforums.com/search.p...rchid=34675403

[RobertW777]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

Also, FYI OP, there are a good many TRF threads directly about making a choice between the 18238 and the 118238 (fewer with the 128238).

See the first several pages here (beyond the first dozen or so posts, which just link back to this thread) -
https://www.rolexforums.com/search.p...rchid=34675403

Thank you i read those threads multiple times. Mostly it was just talked about the solid vs hollow bracelet. Also the better clasp after p serial.