Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1983 Reference No: 18038 Case No: 7'440'287 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18k yellow gold and diamonds Calibre: Automatic, 3055 Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President, end links stamped 55 Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployment clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed:Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed Accessories: Punched Rolex guarantee dated 14th October 1985, green leather wallet and swing tag Literature: The present lot is illustrated in Day Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, Spin Edizioni
Catalogue Essay
From its first catalogue introduction in 1956, the Day-Date undeniably embodied the Rolex symbol of class and elegance. Many possible combinations were given by the variety of dials and case materials, the innumerable bezel patterns and the different bracelet assortments. This 18038 reference manufactured in 1983 shows a perfectly conveived timepiece able to convey a remarkable visual aesthetic impact.The yellow gold case creates a contrasting effect with the amazing brown dégradé dial. The distinguishing feature of these lacquered ‘dégradé’ coatings is the centripetal gradual colour fading. Furthermore, the dial is adorned with round cut diamond hour markers.This example shows an immaculate overall state of preservation, with unpolished case and bracelet and its original warranty papers. As a result, the ensemble of these features bestows an outstanding charm to the present timepiece.
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.