Rolex · Day-Date 36
Strap for Day-Date 36 White Gold Fluted / Oyster / Paved
Takes 20 mm straps. Verified lug width, the straps that fit this model, and answers to the most common questions.
Lug width
Straps for the Day-Date 36 118239-0311
Selected for the 20 mm lug width · workshop selection
Matte Dark Gray Alligator Strap€195
Black Alligator Strap with Light Red Edging€149
Vintage Alligator Strap Cognac€195
Hammered Pink Strap with Ecru Stitching€98
Vintage Brown Calfskin Strap — Natural Patina€98
The Day-Date 36 118239-0311, seen from the bench
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct lug width for the Rolex Day-Date 36 118239-0311?
The lug width (spring bar distance) of the Day-Date 36 118239-0311 is 20 millimetres. This parameter represents the distance between the two anchor points where the strap attaches to the lugs of the case. To verify this measurement, observe the diameter of the small metal pins positioned on each side of the case: the distance between these contact points is precisely 20 mm. An aftermarket strap must possess this exact measurement to ensure a perfect fit without mechanical play.
Which type of strap is most suitable for the Day-Date 36 in white gold?
For the 118239-0311 in white gold, alligator leather represents the traditional choice of excellence. The reptile's regular scales dialogue elegantly with the brushed satiny sheen of white gold, creating a tactile and visual continuum superior to alternatives. Alternatively, dark-toned calf leather (black, dark brown, navy blue) offers contemporaneity and discretion. Vegetable-tanned leather provides durability and natural patination over time, particularly appreciated by collectors seeking environmental consciousness and pronounced character in ageing. Avoid fluorescent tones or palette colours unsuitable for precious metals.
How do you change the strap on a Rolex Day-Date watch?
Changing the strap on a Rolex Day-Date 118239-0311 requires access to the spring bars—small pins that connect the strap to the case lugs. Utilise a spring bar tool, a specialised instrument featuring fork-shaped ends or flat tips, to exert controlled pressure on each pin, disengaging it from the worn strap. Once removed, align the new strap's slots with the pins and press until you hear a click indicating secure attachment. Operate with care to avoid scratching the white gold case. Numerous goldsmiths and specialised ateliers, such as Casati Milano, offer this professional service, guaranteeing precision and protection of your timepiece.
Is an aftermarket strap compatible with the Rolex Day-Date 36 118239-0311?
Yes, any strap featuring 20-millimetre lugs is compatible with the Day-Date 36 118239-0311. Aftermarket straps of artisanal quality, crafted from alligator, calf leather, or vegetable-tanned hide, fit perfectly to standard Rolex spring bars without case modifications. The essential requirement is verifying that the lug measurements correspond exactly to 20 mm: an oversized or undersized strap would result in mechanical play or impossibility of attachment. At milanostraps.it, you will find a curated selection of 20 mm straps specifically compatible with this model.
What is the average lifespan of a leather strap on a Rolex Day-Date watch?
An artisanally crafted leather strap, fashioned from alligator or traditionally tanned calf leather, possesses an estimated lifespan of between 5 and 10 years of regular use, depending upon intensity of wear and maintenance care. Alligator tends to outlast calf leather owing to its more robust fibrous structure. Replacement frequency depends upon exposure to perspiration, humidity, and thermal fluctuations. A vegetable-tanned strap, whilst visibly ageing, often maintains adequate mechanical resistance beyond a decade. It is advisable to avoid prolonged water immersion and to clean regularly with a damp cloth. Casati Milano provides an 18-month warranty against manufacturing defects, covering potential structural failures during this period.
The next step
The right strap isn't chosen. It is built, together.
From the atelier appointment to delivery, every step is made for those who know that things done well take time. Rare leathers, one piece at a time, eighteen months of warranty.
Request an appointment →Casati Milano · Via XX Settembre 15, Milan · by appointment only

