Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1991 Reference No: 18238 Case No: E419'552 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, 3155 Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President, end links stamped 55 Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed:Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed Accessories: Original Rolex punched guarantee stating that the present watch was sold in Germany by Bucherer, November 1991
Catalogue Essay
Ferrite, howlite, aventurine, diaspore, onyx, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, pink coral, tiger’s-eye, malachite... It is quite hard to list all the stones used to craft the dials in the Day-Date’s history. Nevertheless, the reason why Rolex introduced these timepieces is crystal clear: render each single wristwatch unequalled and unique. This striking Day-Date manufactured in 1991 perfectly exemplifies both features.The black onyx dial displays gilt graphics. Particular attention must be given to the absence of hour markers since the only holes made on the dial are those for the hands and both date and day openings.The superb overall state of preservation of both case and bracelet greatly underscores the collectable interest of this Day-Date.
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.