1091
Rolex
Ref. 18238
Day-Date
A highly rare, attractive and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, bloodstone dial, Roman numerals, bracelet and guarantee
Full-Cataloguing
- Sought-after bloodstone dial paired with rare Roman numerals
- Accompanied by its original punched guarantee
- Excellent case and flawless dial condition
Introduced in 1988, the Rolex Day-Date reference 18238 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the Day-Date collection. It debuted cal. 3155, an automatic movement featuring Rolex’s first double quickset mechanism, allowing for independent adjustment of both the day and date indications.
Crafted from 18K yellow gold, the reference 18238 features a classic 36mm case with a fluted bezel, paired with the iconic President bracelet and concealed folding clasp. Produced exclusively in precious metals, the Day-Date line has long served as a canvas for Rolex’s most creative dial executions, particularly gem-set and natural hardstone dials. These rare configurations are highly sought after by collectors, with flawless hardstone examples commanding heightened attention.
Natural hardstones vary in hardness and structural composition, making them exceptionally fragile and difficult to cut. A substantial portion of raw material is lost during production, often resulting in dials with distinct variations in thickness compared to standard offerings. The present example showcases an exotic bloodstone dial, defined by its rich forest green hue and subtle red copper flecks that create a striking visual contrast against the warm yellow gold case. The rare addition of applied Roman numeral hour markers paired with the fluted bezel yields a compelling, powerful aesthetic.
Offered in overall excellent condition, the case remains crisp and the bloodstone dial is remarkably well-preserved, completely free of cracks or fissures. Complete with its original punched guarantee, this timepiece stands as an extraordinary example of Rolex’s mastery of exotic materials.
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.