Rolex - Glamorous Day-Date Geneva Friday, May 8, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1983
    Reference No: 18038, inside case back stamped 18000
    Case No: 7'372'853
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold, diamonds and rubies
    Calibre: Automatic, 3055
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President, end links stamped 55
    Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed
    Accessories: None

  • Catalogue Essay

    The 18038 reference, produced between 1977 and 1988, is characterised by an 18K yellow gold case and bracelet, and by a fluted bezel. Following the introduction of these models fitted with sapphire crystal, the fifth and last digit of the reference indicates the metal of the case in 18k yellow gold.


    The charming champagne dial is further enriched with baguette-cut rubies and round-cut diamond hour markers.


    Rolex launched the sapphire crystal in 1977 which was fitted onto gold Day-Date, Datejust and Turnograph models as well as Oysterquartz models. The sapphire material is much harder than the previously used acrylic glass, therefore far less likely to get scratched.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 18038, inside case back stamped 18000
A rare and attractive yellow gold, diamond and ruby-set calendar wristwatch with centre seconds, bracelet and champagne dial

1983
36mm. Diameter
Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 

Sold for CHF25,000

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

Glamorous Day-Date

Geneva Auction 9 May 2015 7pm