29

Rolex

Ref. 19018

Oysterquartz Day-Date

A very fine and attractive yellow gold quartz wristwatch with burl wood dial, bracelet, and fitted presentation box

Estimate
$12,000 - 24,000
$16,510
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1979
Reference No
19018
Case No
6’344’105
Model Name
Oysterquartz Day-Date
Material
18K yellow gold
Calibre
Quartz, cal. 5055, 11 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K yellow gold Rolex bracelet, max length 180mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped “C”
Dimensions
36mm Diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex presentation box.

Catalogue Essay

• The Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date reference 19018 stands as a unique chapter in the brand’s history, blending avant-garde technology with the timeless elegance of the Day-Date line. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this reference is defined by its angular case, integrated bracelet, and the unmistakable hum of Rolex’s in-house Caliber 5055 quartz movement—an innovation that set new standards for precision in the late 1970s and 1980s.
• What truly sets this example apart is its exquisite burl wood dial. Sourced from natural hardwood, each dial is inherently unique, featuring organic swirling grain patterns that contrast beautifully against the rich gold tones of the case and bracelet. The warm, earthy hues of the wood offer a tactile, almost artisanal character rarely seen in Rolex’s production, emphasizing the brand’s ability to harmonize luxury with nature. Applied gold hour markers and the signature day and date apertures provide balance to the organic dial, ensuring both legibility and sophistication.
• Produced in limited numbers, the Rolex 19018 with a burl wood dial is a collector’s piece that embodies the fusion of innovation and craftsmanship—an enduring symbol of the Oysterquartz legacy and a testament to Rolex’s willingness to experiment with unconventional materials. It is accompanied by its original Rolex presentation box.

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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