The Rolex Day-Date 40 228235 slate ombre dial, reference 228235-0055, is the Everose card with a graded dial: slate at the centre, darkening to near-black at the rim. Rolex calls the effect ombré, and it is applied to a sunray base, so the gradient moves as the watch turns rather than sitting still. Applied pink-gold Roman numerals and batons mark the hours, and the fluted Everose bezel keeps the warm frame around a cool dial.

Specifications

• Reference: 228235-0055
• Case diameter: 40mm
• Case material: 18 ct Everose gold
• Bezel: fluted Everose
• Dial: slate ombré with applied Roman numerals and baton indexes
• Day display: full day name at 12 o’clock
• Date display: Cyclops-magnified at 3 o’clock
• Crystal: sapphire
• Bracelet: President, semi-circular three-piece links with a concealed Crownclasp
• Movement: clone Cal. 3255, automatic
• Power reserve: 70 hours
• Water resistance: 100 m
• Options: A-grade with a Japanese automatic movement $349, super clone $899

Rolex Day-Date 40 228235 slate ombre dial: how the gradient reads

An ombré dial is the one configuration in this collection that changes with the angle of the wrist rather than with the colour of the light. Turn it toward a window and the centre opens up to a pale grey; turn it away and the whole face closes to black with only the numerals visible. That is the difference between this card and the plain slate 228239-0060 in white gold, where the dial holds one tone across its surface. The Everose setting also matters here: a cool grey against pink gold is a sharper contrast than any of the warm dials in the 228235 family.

The clone Cal. 3255 and the two builds

This listing carries two options. The $349 A-grade runs a Japanese automatic with day and date discs. The $899 super clone runs the clone Cal. 3255, the calibre factories such as EW and BP build for the current Day-Date: 70 hours of reserve, a 28,800 vph balance, and the day and the date jumping together at midnight instead of crawling. Our walk-through of an Everose President clone shows what to inspect on the case and clasp, and the full Day-Date collection holds the rest of the references.

Rolex Day-Date 40 228235 slate ombre dial Replica FAQ

What is the slate ombre dial on the 228235-0055?

It is a graded grey dial that runs from a lighter slate centre to a dark rim, sprayed over a sunray base. The gradient is part of the dial itself, not a lighting effect, and it is the single feature that names the -0055 suffix.

What do the two options cost on the 228235-0055 slate ombre?

$349 for the A-grade with a Japanese automatic movement and $899 for the super clone with the clone Cal. 3255. The case, dial, bezel and President bracelet are the same on both builds.

Other versions of this model in stock: Rolex Day-Date 40 228235 Sundust dial, Rolex Day-Date 40 228235-0002 chocolate Roman, Rolex Day-Date 40 228235-0004 Sundust baguette.