157
Rolex
Ref. 18038
Day-Date
A fine and attractive yellow gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with burgundy "Stella" dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- CHF20,000 - 30,000€18,500 - 27,800$19,800 - 29,700
CHF30,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1984
- Reference No
- 18038
- Movement No
- 0'887'234
- Case No
- 8'421'890
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18K yellow gold and diamonds
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, reference 8385, max length 157mm.
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped I
- Dimensions
- 35.5mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1978, reference 18038 featured a quick set date function and sapphire crystal - two upgrades from reference 1803, which was fitted with a plexi crystal and did not allow the wearer to simply change the date by pulling out the crown halfway.
The present watch is most notably fitted with a full diamond baguette numerals and a rich burgundy and vibrant lacquer "Stella" dial. This example is among the later generation of "Stella" dials, before Rolex ceased production of the design. While some Day-Dates feature a combination of the brilliant and baguette diamonds, to have a dial set with baguettes only, is a very rare occurrence. The burgundy lacquer shines with great depth and tone, and the gold graphics are very vibrant.
The case is preserved in excellent condition, featuring a layer of patina near the crown as evidence of the untouched condition of the watch. It furthermore retains its original bracelet, stamped I for 1984.
The present watch is most notably fitted with a full diamond baguette numerals and a rich burgundy and vibrant lacquer "Stella" dial. This example is among the later generation of "Stella" dials, before Rolex ceased production of the design. While some Day-Dates feature a combination of the brilliant and baguette diamonds, to have a dial set with baguettes only, is a very rare occurrence. The burgundy lacquer shines with great depth and tone, and the gold graphics are very vibrant.
The case is preserved in excellent condition, featuring a layer of patina near the crown as evidence of the untouched condition of the watch. It furthermore retains its original bracelet, stamped I for 1984.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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