Rolex doesn't introduce a new gold alloy often, and the last time was roughly two decades ago. At Watches and Wonders 2026, the brand unveiled Jubilee Gold, a proprietary 18K alloy developed and produced entirely in-house, and debuted it on the Day-Date 40 alongside a natural green aventurine dial.
The result is one of the most quietly striking Day-Dates in years and, fittingly, one of the most exclusive pieces Rolex has ever shown. The timing carries weight, too: 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Rolex Oyster case, patented in 1926, and the Day-Date's own 70th birthday.
Things to Know About the Watch
Jubilee Gold is the story here. Unlike yellow gold's warmth or Everose gold's blush, this new alloy shifts across tones of tender yellow, warm grey, and soft pink depending on the light, subtler than any Rolex gold that's come before it. The 40 mm Oyster case, fluted bezel, and President bracelet are all rendered in this new metal, with the bracelet's solid links incorporating ceramic inserts to reduce wear.
The dial is natural aventurine stone with a pale green color with scattered grey inclusions. The dial is set with ten baguette-cut diamond hour markers. A sapphire crystal with Cyclops magnifier sits over the date at 3 o'clock, and the case is water-resistant to 100 meters via a screw-down Twinlock crown. Reference 228235JG-0003 is an off-catalog model, produced in very limited numbers and allocated exclusively through select authorized dealers.
The Movement
Powering the watch is caliber 3255, Rolex's self-winding manufacture movement, and the benchmark by which modern Rolex precision is measured. It beats at 28,800 vph and delivers a 70-hour power reserve. At its heart is the Chronergy escapement—a patented design that improves energy efficiency—paired with a blue Parachrom hairspring for resistance to magnetic fields and temperature shifts. For 2026, Rolex has upgraded its Superlative Chronometer certification standards across the board, adding hundreds of additional checks at the design and manufacturing stages.
On the Wrist & Price
The Day-Date 40 in Jubilee Gold with green aventurine dial is a study in restraint at the top of the market. The muted alloy and cool aventurine dial are prestigious without announcing themselves. It wears like the most considered Day-Date in the current lineup, and it's the only watch in the world currently carrying Jubilee Gold. That exclusivity, combined with its off-catalog status, makes it one of the harder conversations you'll need to have with your AD.
Sticker Price USD 62,700 USD. More info on Rolex here.
