Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref. 228239 'President' with Meteorite Dial
Dress Watch / High-Complication Tool Watch · Rolex (Independent); Top-tier luxury status. Historically recognized as the 'President's watch' and the pinnacle of the brand's production.
Period: Modern Luxury (2015–Present) - The Day-Date 40 platform represents the contemporary evolution of the classic 1956 Eisenhower style with modern movement technology.
Type
Dress Watch / High-Complication Tool Watch
Brand
Rolex (Independent); Top-tier luxury status. Historically recognized as the 'President's watch' and the pinnacle of the brand's production.
Movement
Automatic, Calibre 3255 (In-house). Features Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4Hz), 31 jewels, and Parachrom hairspring.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 40mm; Thickness: 12mm; Lug-to-lug: 47.4mm; Lug width: 21mm. It wears with significant presence due to the weight of the gold and the broadness of the 40mm case.
Description
The Rolex Day-Date 40 in white gold is the ultimate 'stealth wealth' timepiece, combining the prestige of the President bracelet with the understated look of steel-toned precious metal. This specific iteration is elevated by a dial sliced from the Gibeon meteorite, ensuring that no two watches are exactly alike due to the unique metallic kristallization. Paired with baguette diamond indices, it is one of the most exclusive configurations of the flagship Rolex model.
Key Features
Widmanstätten meteorite pattern, baguette-cut diamond markers, fluted white gold bezel, and the iconic President bracelet with ceramic inserts in the links to prevent 'stretch'.
Dial Description
Meteorite dial featuring Widmanstätten patterns (crystallized nickel-iron from space); 10 baguette-cut diamond hour markers; baton hands; full day window at 12 and date at 3.
Case Material
18kt White Gold (Monobloc middle case). The finish is high-polish on the case flanks and lugs, showcasing the bright, lustrous tone unique to Rolex's in-house white gold alloy.
Crystal Type
Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops magnifying lens over the date. Double anti-reflective coating on the interior.
Bezel Details
Fixed, 18kt White Gold fluted bezel. The sharp facets are designed to catch and reflect light, a hallmark of the Day-Date and Datejust lines.
Crown & Pushers
Twinlock screw-down crown with double waterproofness system, 18kt white gold, embossed with the Rolex crown logo.
Bracelet or Strap
President bracelet; three-piece semicircular links in 18kt white gold; polished center links and brushed outer links; concealed folding Crownclasp.
Caseback Details
Solid, screw-down fluted caseback in 18kt white gold. Consistent with Rolex's professional and luxury models, the movement is not visible.
Movement Type
Automatic, Calibre 3255 (In-house). Features Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4Hz), 31 jewels, and Parachrom hairspring.
Water Resistance
100 meters (330 feet). While technically capable of swimming, the watch is a high-jewelry dress piece and is not intended for rigorous water sports.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Manufactured in-house across Rolex's facilities in Geneva and Bienne, including the casting of their own gold alloys.
Age Estimate
Circa 2019-2023. The meteorite dial was a premium contemporary addition to the 228239 reference line.
Cultural Significance
Since its debut in 1956, the Day-Date has been worn by more world leaders, CEOs, and visionaries than any other watch, cementing its status as the 'ultimate watch of prestige'.
Condition Notes
Appears to be in Mint/Excellent condition. The fluting on the bezel is sharp, providing high light reflectivity. No visible scratches on the sapphire crystal or the polished lug surfaces.
Value Estimate
MSRP approx. $46,000 - $49,000; Secondary market value often ranges from $55,000 to $70,000 depending on the intensity of the meteorite pattern and presence of original papers.
Care & Maintenance
Service interval of 10 years recommended by Rolex. Because it is solid gold, the case is softer than steel and should be cleaned with a microfiber cloth; avoid polishing too frequently to preserve lug geometry.
Similar Watches
Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref. 228206 (Platinum - features smooth bezel and ice blue dial); Patek Philippe 5227G (Dress alternative); Vacheron Constantin Overseas (Sports-luxe alternative).
Interesting Facts
The Gibeon meteorite used for these dials is estimated to be 4 billion years old. Rolex recently discontinued several meteorite dial options across their lines, making existing pieces highly sought after by collectors.