Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 — 18-carat yellow gold, ca. 1980

Price upon request

Identity

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Ref. 18038, ca. 1980. Self-winding mechanical movement. Oyster case in 18-carat yellow gold, 36 mm diameter, signed screw-down crown, fluted yellow gold bezel. Champagne sunburst dial, applied gold baton indexes, day window at twelve and date window at three with cyclops. Sapphire crystal. President bracelet in 18-carat yellow gold with semi-circular three-piece links, signed Crownclasp.

Horological context

The Day-Date was introduced by Rolex in 1956 with reference 6611. The first wristwatch to display the day of the week spelled out in full at the twelve o'clock window, alongside the date at three, it marked the culmination of the Oyster Perpetual concept: water resistance, self-winding, chronometer certification. It was also distinguished by its exclusivity of material — produced only in 18-carat gold or platinum, never in steel — and by its dedicated bracelet, the President with semi-circular three-piece links, whose name became inseparable from the model after several heads of state, Lyndon B. Johnson among them, wore it in office. Ref. 1803, produced from 1959 to 1977, marks the maturity of the lineage with calibres 1555 then 1556. It was succeeded by Ref. 18038, opened in 1977 with calibre 3055 introducing the quickset date, the sapphire crystal and water resistance increased to 100 metres. Technical evolutions followed: calibre 3155 from 1988 with double quickset day and date, then calibre 3255 in 2015, with the generalisation of precious metals — yellow gold, white gold, Everose gold, platinum.

Character

Champagne sunburst dial with applied gold baton indexes, day disc in English. President bracelet with signed Crownclasp.

Serviced watch. Very good condition. Delivered with the brand box and the Contre-Temps 24-month warranty certificate.