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Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) vs Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium
Rolex's timepiece meets Tissot's dress watch
Quick Verdict
The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium ($500–$1,000) delivers ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring technology in the tier below the Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) ($25,000+). The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium measures 40mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM). The Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic, Rolex calibre 3055, quickset date. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.
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Rolex
Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers)
$25,000+
Specifications Compared
| Feature | Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) | Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $25,000+ | $500–$1,000 |
| Case Size | 36mm | 40mm |
| Movement | Automatic, Rolex calibre 3055, quickset date | Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring) |
| Caliber Type | Rolex 3055, chronometer certified | ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring |
| Power Reserve | About 42 hours | 80 Hours |
| Water Resistance | 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case | 100m (10 ATM) |
| Crystal | Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops | Sapphire Crystal |
| Case Material | 18k yellow gold, fluted bezel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Swiss Made (Swatch Group) |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Rolex's design language vs Tissot's approach
The Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) features a 18k yellow gold, fluted bezel case at 36mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops protection. The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium offers Stainless Steel construction at 40mm with Sapphire Crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.
Movement & Performance
Automatic, Rolex calibre 3055, quickset date vs Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring)
The Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) runs the Automatic, Rolex calibre 3055, quickset date (Rolex 3055, chronometer certified, About 42 hours power reserve) at standard frequency. The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium uses the Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring) (ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring, 80 Hours reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium offers a longer power reserve.
Wearability & Fit
36mm vs 40mm — different wrist presence
At 36mm, the Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium at 40mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case vs 100m (10 ATM).
Value & Cost of Ownership
Tissot sits in the lower tier
The Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) sits at $25,000+ and the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium at $500–$1,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops with About 42 hours, against Sapphire Crystal and 80 Hours on the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.
Water Resistance
100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case vs 100m (10 ATM)
The Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) is rated to 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case while the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium handles 100m (10 ATM). Both offer identical water resistance ratings.
Our Verdict
Rolex
Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers)
Choose the Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) if you prioritize Rolex 3055, chronometer certified engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case water resistance. At $25,000+, it delivers Automatic, Rolex calibre 3055, quickset date with About 42 hours power reserve.
Check Price on AmazonTissot
Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium
Choose the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium if you value ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring technology, Swiss Made (Swatch Group) heritage, and 40mm proportions. At $500–$1,000, the Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring) with 80 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Rolex Day-Date 18038 (18k yellow gold, champagne dial, President, box and papers) and Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Rolex bringing Swiss Made tradition while Tissot delivers Swiss Made (Swatch Group) engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How This Page Was Made
Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.