Rolex 228236-0012 Day-Date 40 Platinum Fluted Ice Blue Roman

Pale blue with one coloured hand

The ice blue on this replica Rolex Day-Date 228236 is pale, and the box shots (09 to 12) show it as a soft, cool blue. The seconds hand is a stronger blue and gives the dial one fixed reference point, and the close-up in photo 08 shows the sunburst brushing running out from the centre. Applied Roman numerals and batons mark the hours inside a printed minute track. The weekday is written out in the arc at 12 o’clock, the date sits at 3 under the magnifying lens.

Platinum-tone steel case, President bracelet

Underneath the finish the case is 904L steel, 40 mm across, with a fluted bezel and a screw-down crown. Sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating sits on top. The President bracelet uses three-piece links with a taper that keeps the watch tight to the wrist, and links are removed at any watchmaker. Keep magnets and long direct sun away from it and book a service every three to four years.

Choosing the movement

Both options are automatic and both turn the day and date. Japanese: Miyota-based, about 40 hours, 21,600 vph, serviceable almost anywhere. Swiss: follows the original caliber, 28,800 vph, about 70 hours. The steel case and sapphire crystal do not change with the choice.

Same dial, different markers

The baguette-marker ice blue 228236-0006 is the same ice blue with baguette stones instead of numerals; the blue ombre 228236-0024 keeps the Roman numerals on a blue to black gradient. The platinum-tone 40 mm group listing shows the set together, and every Day-Date model in the shop covers the other metals. If you are weighing a gold version as well, read how the Day-Date gold plating wears. Water: 30 m, not for the pool.

Which hands are blue on this 228236?

Only the seconds hand. The hour and minute hands are silver tone, as on the close-up photo 08.