62
Rolex
Ref. 18238
Day-Date “Malachite”
An exceptional, very rare, and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with malachite hardstone dial, day and date apertures, bracelet, guarantee, and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
• Very rare model with malachite dial
• Exceptional original condition
• Fresh-to-the-market, family of the original owner
• Complete set
Ever since its introduction in 1956, the Day-Date has served as a canvas for Rolex's most expressive designs, featuring an evolving array of dials set with semi-precious stones, lavish gem settings, and creative executions that blur the line between horology and haute joaillerie. Launched in 1988, the reference 18238 was the first to incorporate a double quick-set function for its day and date adjustments.
The present fresh-to-the-market Day-Date is exceptional for both its superb original condition and the dynamic malachite dial. A copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, malachite is notable for its rich green color with swirling pattern. It has a long history of use in jewelry and watches reaching back to antiquity for jewelry and amulets. It is a highly prized mineral in watch making since its composition means each dial is completely unique and adds an organic natural aesthetic to each timepiece. Rolex is appreciated by collectors for their attention to detail, and they must have been highly selective in choosing the specific slice of malachite, further affirming their mastery of fabricating such delicate natural materials for use as watch dials.
This reference 18238, dating to 1995, is offered by the family of the original owner and is in exceptional original condition with factory original proportions and sharp lug bevels. It is an impressive example with fluted bezel, President bracelet, and original flawless malachite dial. The watch is complete with Rolex warranty and brown leather presentation box underscoring its rarity.
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.