Yellow Gold Day-Date 40 Review: 228238 Green Ombré Dial & 208g Original Weight

Among the different Day-Date 40 combinations, the yellow-gold case with a green ombré dial is one of the easiest to recognize—and one of the hardest to reproduce well.

The reason is simple: this configuration depends heavily on color.

The gold tone must remain balanced under different lighting, while the green dial needs enough depth to show a visible transition from a brighter center to a darker outer edge.

For this Yellow Gold Day-Date 40 Review, we are looking at the CBD 228238-style original-weight version, with particular attention to the green gradient dial, 208g measured weight, case profile, President-style bracelet and 3255 automatic movement.

This article covers a replica watch manufactured by CBD Watch Factory. It is not a genuine Rolex product and CBD Watch Factory is not affiliated with Rolex.

Yellow Gold Day-Date 40 Review: What Makes This Version Different?

This configuration is built around three visual elements:

40mm yellow-gold-style caseGreen ombré sunburst dialPresident-style bracelet

Instead of treating weight as the only selling point, this version focuses on how the watch looks once all three elements are combined.

The case, bracelet and bezel need enough visual presence to match the bold green dial, but they should not become oversized just to increase weight.

That balance is especially important with a full yellow-gold-style Day-Date because any incorrect bracelet thickness or case proportion becomes easy to notice.

208g Measured Weight

The photographed watch was placed directly on a digital scale and measured at:

208g

This is an important point because the weight shown in this article is not simply a theoretical specification—the accompanying photograph documents the result from the completed watch.

CBD uses internal weighted material combined with an outer steel protective structure before applying the yellow-gold-tone precious-metal plating finish.

The purpose of this construction is to create additional mass inside the watch while avoiding the need to make the visible bracelet unusually thick or long.

So the 208g figure should be considered together with the physical dimensions of the watch, not as an isolated specification.

Green Ombré Dial: The Main Visual Feature

The green dial is the defining feature of this 228238-style configuration.

Rather than using one flat shade of green, the dial shows a transition in intensity across its surface.

Near the center, the green appears brighter and more saturated.

Toward the outer area, the tone becomes noticeably darker.

This creates a stronger sense of depth than a conventional solid-color dial.

Under direct lighting, the sunburst brushing becomes much more visible and produces radial highlights across the dial. Under lower light, the dial can appear considerably darker.

That changing appearance is why we photographed the watch from several angles rather than relying on one front-facing image.

Roman Numerals and Dial Layout

The dial uses applied Roman numeral markers combined with the traditional Day-Date display arrangement.

The day aperture sits at 12 o'clock, while the magnified date window remains at 3 o'clock.

For this version, attention is given to several small elements that become obvious in close-up photography:

• Roman numeral height and positioning

• crown marker alignment

• day-window proportions

• date-window positioning

• dial text spacing

• minute-track alignment

• overall balance between the markers and dial edge

The green background also makes gold-colored markers particularly noticeable, so inconsistent alignment is harder to hide than on some darker dial combinations.

Yellow Gold Tone Under Different Lighting

Yellow-gold finishes can look very different depending on the environment in which they are photographed.

Under strong white light, polished surfaces can appear lighter and more reflective.

Under warmer indoor lighting, the same surface can appear noticeably richer or more saturated.

For that reason, the objective is not to create an artificially deep yellow tone.

CBD applies a yellow-gold-tone precious-metal plating finish intended to maintain a more balanced appearance across the case, bezel and bracelet.

The side-angle photographs are particularly useful here because they show both polished and less reflective surfaces at the same time.

Fluted Bezel and 40mm Case Profile

The fluted bezel gives this model much of its visual identity.

From the front, the repeated fluting reflects light around the entire dial.

But the more useful inspection angle is from the side.

A heavyweight watch can easily become visually bulky if the case has been made thicker simply to accommodate more material.

This CBD version instead keeps the 40mm case profile proportionally controlled while placing the additional weight primarily within the internal construction.

The result is intended to preserve the relationship between:

bezel heightmid-case thicknesslug shapeend-link positionbracelet thickness

That relationship is more important to the overall appearance than the weight number alone.

President-Style Bracelet: Weight Without Extra Length

The President-style bracelet contributes a large portion of the character of a Day-Date.

On this 208g version, the bracelet is not intentionally extended simply to add more mass.

Its proportions are designed around the intended overall length and link thickness.

This is especially visible when the bracelet is photographed completely flat.

The full-length image makes it easier to judge:

• total bracelet length

• center-link width

• outer-link proportions

• clasp positioning

• consistency between individual links

For an original-weight build, these measurements matter because an obviously oversized bracelet can undermine an otherwise convincing case and dial.

Why 208g Should Not Be the Only Specification You Check

A common mistake when comparing heavyweight watches is to compare only the scale reading.

Two watches can both weigh 208g while having very different external dimensions.

One may achieve the weight through a thicker bracelet.

Another may use extra-long links.

Another may place more of the additional mass internally.

That is why our evaluation of this version is based on four things together:

WeightDimensionsProportionsFinish

The scale provides one piece of evidence, but the side profile and bracelet photographs are equally important.

3255 Automatic Movement

Inside the watch is a 3255-style automatic mechanical movement.

Its functional layout supports:

• hours

• minutes

• seconds

• day display

• date display

• automatic winding

The intended power-reserve specification is approximately 70 hours, depending on the exact movement version and adjustment.

The day display remains at 12 o'clock and the date at 3 o'clock, preserving the familiar Day-Date functionality.

For buyers comparing different versions, movement configuration should be considered separately from the external finish, because appearance and mechanical performance are two different parts of the build.

228238 Green Dial Version: Key Specifications

Series: 228238 styleCase Diameter: 40mmDial: Green ombré sunburstMarkers: Applied Roman numeralsBezel: FlutedBracelet: President styleMeasured Weight: 208gMovement: 3255-style automatic movementFunctions: Day, date, hours, minutes and secondsPower Reserve: Approximately 70 hours depending on movement configurationConstruction: Internal weighted material with outer steel protective structureFinish: Yellow-gold-tone precious-metal plating

What We Like About This Configuration

The strongest characteristic of this version is the combination of yellow gold and green.

The green dial changes noticeably as the viewing angle changes, while the fluted bezel and polished bracelet surfaces produce much stronger reflections.

This makes the watch visually more dynamic than many conventional dark-dial configurations.

The 208g weight also gives the watch a substantial feel without requiring an obviously oversized bracelet.

For this particular version, that balance between visual impact and external dimensions is more important than simply making the watch as heavy as possible.

Final Verdict

This Yellow Gold Day-Date 40 Review shows why an original-weight build should be evaluated as a complete watch rather than by one specification.

The photographed example reaches 208g, but the more meaningful point is that this weight is achieved while maintaining controlled case and bracelet proportions.

The green ombré dial gives this 228238-style version its strongest identity, while the yellow-gold-tone finish, fluted bezel and President-style bracelet create the classic full-gold appearance.

For CBD, original weight means combining correct weight, correct dimensions, balanced color and refined detail, rather than simply increasing mass.

FAQ

How much does this yellow gold Day-Date 40 weigh?

The watch photographed for this review measures 208g on the digital scale.

What dial does this version use?

It uses a green ombré sunburst dial that transitions from a brighter green toward a darker outer edge.

Is the bracelet made thicker to reach 208g?

The CBD original-weight construction is designed to place additional mass internally rather than relying on an intentionally thicker or longer bracelet.

What movement is used?

This version uses a 3255-style automatic mechanical movement with day and date functions.

What is the case size?

The case is 40mm.

Is this an authentic Rolex Day-Date 228238?

No. This is a replica watch produced by CBD Watch Factory and is not manufactured, endorsed or authorized by Rolex.