About the Rolex Day-Date 40 228398TBR
The Rolex Day-Date has been the marque's flagship dress watch since its introduction in 1956, the first wristwatch to display both the day of the week spelled out in full and the date, always in precious metal and always on a President or Oyster bracelet. The 228398TBR is the 40 mm generation of this lineage, introduced when Rolex expanded the Day-Date family beyond the classic 36 mm case, offering a larger presence on the wrist without sacrificing the model's inherently refined character. What sets the TBR references apart is the baguette diamond bezel, in which individually cut rectangular stones are channel-set around the entire bezel flange, a setting technique that demands exceptional gemological and manufacturing precision. The result is a watch that functions as both a certified chronometer and an heirloom-grade jewellery piece in 18-karat yellow gold.
What to Look For
When comparing 228398TBR references, the primary differentiator is the dial, with suffix codes indicating color and stone presence — for example SSBD and BSBD denote silver and black dials respectively with diamond hour markers, while GOR points to a green dial and WR to a white dial. Diamond-set dials command a premium over plain-index counterparts because of the additional factory gem-setting work certified under Rolex's own standards. Condition, box and papers completeness, and whether the watch is unworn or lightly worn are the other key value drivers in the secondary market for this reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TBR suffix mean on the Rolex Day-Date 228398TBR?
TBR in a Rolex reference code denotes a baguette diamond-set bezel, meaning every stone around the bezel is an individually cut rectangular baguette diamond channel-set at the factory. This distinguishes the 228398TBR from other Day-Date 40 references such as the 228348 with a fluted or smooth bezel, and it significantly elevates both the visual drama and the retail and resale value of the watch.
What dial options are available for the 228398TBR?
Rolex offers the 228398TBR across numerous dial configurations, including black diagonal motif, silver, white, and green dials in index versions, as well as black and silver dials set with diamond hour markers denoted by the BD suffix. Each dial is manufactured and gem-set in-house by Rolex, ensuring consistency and quality across the range. Bizak and Co. carries multiple dial variants, so buyers can select the exact color and configuration they prefer.
Is the Rolex Day-Date 40 228398TBR a good investment?
The Day-Date in yellow gold with a baguette diamond bezel has historically held strong value on the secondary market due to limited production relative to demand, the intrinsic value of the 18-karat gold case and bracelet, and the prestige associated with the Day-Date name. Unworn examples with original box and papers typically command the highest prices, and rarer dial configurations such as the green GOR or diamond-set BDBD variants can attract additional collector interest. As with any luxury watch purchase, buying from an authorized or trusted authenticated dealer like Bizak and Co. is essential to ensure genuine provenance.
Browse also: Rolex collection.
Buy, trade, or sell. Contact Bizak & Co. for pricing and availability on any reference in this collection.
