Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1994 Reference No: 18208, case back stamped to the inside "18200" Case No: S257592 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped 55B to the end links, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp stamped "8385" Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched guarantee stamped by London retailer Watches of Switzerland LTD and dated February 9, 1995
Catalogue Essay
The Day-Date line (together with its less complicated sibling the Datejust) has historically been a canvas for Rolex to express its unbound creativity. As a result, the model features some of the most unusual dial configurations ever seen on a Rolex watch. The company went well beyond experimenting with different graphic styles, and the Day-Date can be found with dial options spacing from wood to lacquer, fossil, marble, coral etc.
Offered in absolutely crisp and unspoiled condition, furthermore complete of its original warranty, the present example features the charismatic Onyx dial. Defined by its midnight black hue and lacquer effect, the material is in perfect contrast with the warm gold case for a powerful aesthetic result, bolstered by the absence of virtually any graphic detail and by the presence of the gold rims to the day and date window, subtly recalling the gold case.
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.
Ref. 18208, case back stamped to the inside "18200" A fine, rare and very attractive yellow gold automatic wristwatch with day, date, onyx dial, bracelet and guarantee
Circa 1994 35mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed