Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1980 Reference No: 18039 Case No: 6'157'425 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18k white gold and diamonds Calibre: Automatic, 3055 Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President, end links stamped 55 Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed:Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed Literature: The present lot is illustrated in Day Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo
Catalogue Essay
This sumptuous Day-Date made in 1980 exhibits an overall "like new" conservation state. As a measure of proof the timepiece retains its original Rolex sticker bearing the 18039 reference number, still partially stuck on the case back. The spectacular visual effect given by the white gold watch fitted with the blue dégradé dial leaves us mesmerised. Furthermore, it is preciously adorned with interchanging baguette-cut and round cut diamond hour indexes.The 3055 calibre movement is characterised by the single quick-set date function, which allows a rapid date adjustment.
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.