Rolex Day-Date 36 Ref. 128348RBR 'Carnelian Dial'
Dress Watch / Complications Watch · Rolex (Independent). Top-tier luxury status, known as the definitive manufacturer of high-end daily-wear watches.
Period: Modern Luxury (2019-present). It features the contemporary 128xxx series architecture combined with high-jewelry and exotic stone settings typical of modern Rolex 'off-catalog' aesthetic sensibilities.
Type
Dress Watch / Complications Watch
Brand
Rolex (Independent). Top-tier luxury status, known as the definitive manufacturer of high-end daily-wear watches.
Movement
Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3255. Features Paraflex shock absorbers, Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and 28,800 vph frequency with 31 jewels.
Dimensions
36mm diameter, 12mm thickness, 43mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug width. It wears slightly larger due to the gold density and diamond-set bezel impact.
Description
The Rolex Day-Date 36 in 18k yellow gold with a Carnelian dial is a masterclass in 'haute joaillerie' watchmaking. Known as the 'President's Watch,' this specific iteration utilizes the warmth of yellow gold to complement the vibrant, organic striations of the semi-precious carnelian stone. The diamond-set bezel and VI/IX numerals elevate it from a traditional tool-watch heritage into the realm of pure luxury jewelry.
Key Features
Natural Carnelian stone dial (every dial is unique), factory diamond-set bezel, 18k yellow gold construction, and the modern Calibre 3255 movement with increased power reserve.
Dial Description
Orange Carnelian stone dial featuring unique horizontal banding textures. Applied 18k yellow gold Roman numerals; the VI and IX are set with 24 diamonds. Baton hands in yellow gold. Apertures for day at 12 o'clock and date at 3 o'clock.
Case Material
18k Yellow Gold. High-polish finish on the case lugs and sides with a satin-brushed finish on the top of the lugs.
Crystal Type
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens over the date. Appears to be in factory-new condition with anti-reflective coating.
Bezel Details
Fixed 18k yellow gold bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds (factory RBR setting).
Crown & Pushers
18k yellow gold Twinlock screw-down crown with Rolex coronet logo. Integrated crown guards into the Oyster case design.
Bracelet or Strap
President bracelet in 18k yellow gold. Three-piece semicircular links with a concealed folding Crownclasp. The bracelet in the image is currently protected by factory plastic wrapping.
Caseback Details
Solid, screw-down 18k yellow gold fluted caseback. No engravings, typical of modern Rolex production.
Movement Type
Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3255. Features Paraflex shock absorbers, Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and 28,800 vph frequency with 31 jewels.
Water Resistance
100 meters (330 feet). While technically capable of swimming, the high-jewelry nature of this piece and its gold construction make it unsuitable for rigorous aquatic activity.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Manufactured in Geneva/Bienne, Switzerland. Features an in-house movement.
Age Estimate
Circa 2021-2024. The 128348 reference indicates a production within the last five years; the presence of factory shipping plastic suggests a very recent or New Old Stock (NOS) piece.
Cultural Significance
The Day-Date has been worn by more world leaders and icons than any other watch. The stone-dial variants represent a specific niche in collecting that prizes rarity and artisanal materials over standard production dials.
Condition Notes
Mint/New with stickers. The watch is shown in protective factory plastics, suggesting it has not been worn or sized. The stone dial appears free of hairline fractures which can sometimes affect organic materials.
Value Estimate
Retail (MSRP) approximately $50,000 - $55,000 USD. Secondary market prices for stone dials often command a premium, ranging from $58,000 to $70,000 depending on the uniqueness of the dial pattern.
Care & Maintenance
10-year service interval recommended by Rolex. Stone dials are sensitive to extreme shocks; avoid dropping. Use a soft cloth for gold polishing and ensure the crown is fully screwed down before any water exposure.
Similar Watches
Rolex Day-Date 128238 (Fluted bezel version), Rolex Day-Date 128348 (Turquoise or Eisenkiesel stone dial versions), or Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227J.
Interesting Facts
Carnelian is an orange-hued variety of chalcedony. Rolex is one of the few brands that continues to master thin-slicing stone for dials, a process that results in high wastage due to the fragility of the gemstone discs.