Rolex Day-Date 118209 / 118239 36mm White Gold Dial Options

[*M5]

Good morning guys and gals,

This is a two-part thread from me. On the one hand I'm looking to share a bit of Rolex information regarding these dials while also asking for an opinion.

My 118209 is due for service and I wanted to see what other dials were available on these models.

The AD Service department was kind enough to allow me to browse these so I'm hoping that this could help/give ideas to other 118209 / 118239 owners.

I'm also going to post my current watch, the dials that personally caught my eye and looking for suggestions as to a possible replacement.

My watch is a daily 80% of the time so please keep that in mind.

Last but not least, if you got any real life pictures of these dials or sweet pics of your Day-Date, POST THEM!!


Pic is my watch right now.



Dials to follow.

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[*M5]

All available dials.

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[*M5]

The ones that caught my eye

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[puma1552]

I had no idea that many dials were available. That's very cool that the AD let you see everything on offer and take pics.

There's something to be said about originality - your white Romans dial looks so elegant - but if you want to go with something new, of the choices you are looking at, I have to go with the blue sticks.

[KatGirl]

Blue sticks, as well, but I don’t like Romans. I think you’d find the blue more versatile than the gold colors.

Kat


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[fskywalker]

The blue / sticks is my favorite from above; here on my gone 118209:




The brown dial is also a nice choice from the arabic dial versions, here on my gone 118239:




No wrong choices!


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[KY..]

Blue jubilee dial if you can get it…

[NachoNeal]

I like the white dial with sticks (top left) or the white Arabic (second row, second from the right).

[miamiclay]

Of your preferred choices, I would also vote for the blue batons - WG with blue is a timelessly great look.

Interesting to see that (apparently) the no-markers coral “Gulda” dial was once available on six-digit WG DD models, I wasn’t aware of that. (It’s also the only no-markers dial still listed.)

My only six-digit DD’s dial (S343) is listed there as “Exchange HQ,” which I presume means it’s available only to replace another of the same dial (and even then, only with Geneva’s blessing)?

[JJGreen]

If it's a daily, truthfully you have one of the best options already. I would pick something that goes with everything, so not blue or black, as much as I LOVE the blue. And PLEASE no diamonds, etc.

[*M5]

Thank you all for your replies!


FYI: anything with diamonds starts at $7000, when you add MOP or Meteorite on top of diamonds it goes to $9000 - $11000.

As for the rest of the dials, $420.


In order to keep original dial, +-$200 extra.


The salmon with baguettes was intriguing, but price was just too high.



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[goodolejr]

You have the timeless silver in your existing dial, which I love. But if you must change, go with the cherry dial or brown dial (aka Havana dial).

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

Of your preferred choices, I would also vote for the blue batons - WG with blue is a timelessly great look.

Interesting to see that (apparently) the no-markers coral “Gulda” dial was once available on six-digit WG DD models, I wasn’t aware of that. (It’s also the only no-markers dial still listed.)

My only six-digit DD’s dial (S343) is listed there as “Exchange HQ,” which I presume means it’s available only to replace another of the same dial (and even then, only with Geneva’s blessing)?

I have a 18038 being serviced right now and was told ‘exchange’ has these qualifiers:

Has to currently have that dial on it
or
Originally came with that dial from factory

Otherwise it’s a ‘no go’. No exceptions.

[*M5]

Originally Posted by ronricks

I have a 18038 being serviced right now and was told ‘exchange’ has these qualifiers:



Has to currently have that dial on it

or

Originally came with that dial from factory



Otherwise it’s a ‘no go’. No exceptions.

Go see another AD?

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[GreenStreet]

OP, what year/serial is your daydate?

I'm considering buying a 118209 and would like to switch to the white dial with lumed baton indices (first dial in the first screenshot). Looking at a Y serial - not sure if that dial was offered on the year this watch was produced or if it was only the style with that white gold sticks and small dot of lume (second row, fifth dial in first pic)

[*M5]

Mine is a year 2000, P serial.

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[MichelleP]

I'd go with blue stick markers. I'm not a fan of Romans on the smaller dials

[GreenStreet]

Great, that’s an encouraging sign if all of those options were available to you. What did you ultimately decide on?

[Calatrava r]

Those show all the dials which were made. I cannot believe they are still available. I would think available stock is pretty limited at this point. My preference will always be the white stick dial on white gold.

[*M5]

Originally Posted by GreenStreet

Great, that’s an encouraging sign if all of those options were available to you. What did you ultimately decide on?

To be completely honest, I haven't completely made up my mind. Probably sending the watch in for service before the holidays so there's still time.

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[MRBolton]

Surprised they’d let you swap over to a meteorite dial.

[*M5]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

Surprised they’d let you swap over to a meteorite dial.

Cost over 10K though.

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[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by *M5

Cost over 10K though.

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Wow! Honestly, if I could swap my Daytona to a meteorite dial for $10k…. That would be a no brainer!

[marmite2005]

The white gold DD with a Cherry dial, it looks awesome. That's my choice.

But for a safe daily White, Silver or blue, all baton markers for me

[piratfisk]

My mind is being blown right now. Are you saying that it is possible to take a watch into an AD or RSC & they can change the dial for you?!

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

My mind is being blown right now. Are you saying that it is possible to take a watch into an AD or RSC & they can change the dial for you?!

I emailed the RSC in LA & they said this:

• Dial modifications are unavailable from Rolex, and may result in the voiding of warranty. Dial changes are available in conjunction with a service after the expiration of the 5 year sales warranty.
• After the expiration of the original 5 year sales warranty, we can change the dial. Just for clarification, we do not modify dials but are able to change dials to other dials that are available for the specific model style number being serviced. These dial change requests are at the cost of the dial, and will typically require a complete overhaul movement service in conjunction with the service.
• Each model has its own set of dial options. A 118xxx dial cannot be affixed to a 128xxx.

[GreenStreet]

For anyone interested in doing this, cost for a new dial is $470 (this was for the lumed indices), $90 for matching hands, plus $950 for a standard Daydate service. Keeping your existing dial costs another 250ish. RSC was incredibly helpful when I called them.

I think I’ve heard of some people being able to skip the service and just do a dial swap if their AD has a parts account and watchmaker.

[WatchTimes]

Sorry from bringing back an old post but I am looking for a 118209 on the Oyster and am probably going to end up doing a dial swap as most Ive found don't have dial I care for.
I am debating blue sticks as it looks so low key BUT the meteorite dial is tempting me. I think it would really look stunning with the smooth bezel.