Rolex
Rolex Day-Date 18948
“Masterpiece”
The Rolex Day-Date (reference 18948) is an 18 kt Yellow Gold watch. It is no longer in production.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 18948
- Nickname
- Masterpiece
- Collection
- Day-Date
- Case material
- 18 kt Yellow Gold
- Bracelet / strap
- President
Dial and bezel
- Bezel
- Diamond-set
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
Production
- Production
- Discontinued
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
18948 Masterpiece Mother-of-pearl
Mother-of-pearl; diamond-set · Diamond, dial; Diamond, bezel · “Masterpiece”
18948 Masterpiece Factory diamond hour markers
Factory diamond hour markers · Diamond, dial (hour markers); Diamond, bezel · “Masterpiece”
How it compares within the Day-Date family
Side by side with other references in the same collection, from the catalog.
| Reference | Size | Material | Dial | Caliber | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18948 (This watch) | — | 18 kt Yellow Gold | — | — | — |
| 128235 | 36 mm | 18k Everose gold | Chocolate / Sundust / various | 3255 | 2019– |
| 128238 | 36 mm | 18k yellow gold | Champagne / Green / Silver / various | 3255 | 2019– |
| 128239 | 36 mm | 18k white gold | — | 3255 | 2019– |
| 128396TBR | 36 mm | Platinum | — | 3255 | — |
| 228206 | 40 mm | 950 platinum | Ice blue | 3255 | 2015– |
| 228235 | 40 mm | 18k Everose gold | — | 3255 | 2015– |
| 228238 | 40 mm | 18k yellow gold | — | 3255 | 2015– |
| 228239 | 40 mm | 18k white gold | — | 3255 | 2015– |
About the Day-Date family
The Day-Date was introduced in 1956 as the first wristwatch to show the day of the week spelled out in full, in a window at 12 o'clock, alongside the date. It has only ever been made in precious metal, 18k gold or platinum, and is usually worn on the President bracelet created for it.
Generations are told apart by reference and movement: the quickset references of the late 1970s and 1980s, the 18238 and 118238 with caliber 3155, then the Day-Date 40 (for example ref. 228238) from 2015 and the Day-Date 36 (for example ref. 128238) from 2019, both with caliber 3255. Dials range from plain colours to stone, meteorite and diamond-set versions, and the day disc can be in many languages. Dealers check that dial, bezel and bracelet are original to the watch.
Quick answers
- Is the Rolex Day-Date 18948 still in production?
- Discontinued.
- What is the Rolex Day-Date 18948 made of?
- The case is 18 kt Yellow Gold. Bracelet or strap: President.
- Which dials was the Rolex Day-Date 18948 made with?
- The catalog lists 2 dials: Mother-of-Pearl, Silver.
- What is the Rolex Day-Date 18948 nicknamed?
- Dealers and collectors call it the “Masterpiece”.
Catalog facts checked October 2026.