Launched in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date is one of the most recognizable and versatile wristwatches available in the market. It is a model that can be worn by both men and women, and over its 60 year history has been produced in a number of variations. Ever glamorous, the Day-Date model delights with its myriad of dials, bracelets, bezels and gold-finished designs. Apart from prototype models, the Day-Date has only been cased in precious metals, attesting to its glamor and prestige.
The present watch, previously unknown to the auction market, is most probably one of the most important Day-Date discoveries in recent years. It is one of the very first "Rainbow" models the manufacture ever made, probably even before Rolex had officially coined the model name. It is most notably adorned with a beautiful and impressive bezel, which is set with gemstones that graduate in hue to mimic the color spectrum. The tones range from a vibrant and intense deep red, and slowly morph to mauve, orange, chartreuse, green, blue and finally deep purple. The bezel's beauty stems from the well-matched, pure and bright colored gemstones. The colors blend together seamlessly, attesting to Rolex's technical superiority and eye for color. The dial also displays gemstones in a rainbow hue, referencing the colors of the bezel.
Most interestingly, the watch has a reference number completely different from other Rolex Day-Date models. Cased in yellow gold, it carries the reference number 18058. It is notable that the only other three vintage Day-Date models with a rainbow bezel are in white gold and carry the reference number 18059. It is commonly believed that white metal Day-Dates are rarer than their yellow gold counter parts, however for this particular rainbow model, the present timepiece is the only yellow gold example known. The present model is the direct inspiration behind the beloved Daytona and Day-Date Rainbow models of modern times, providing an extremely interesting historical aspect to watch scholarship.
As an even nicer touch, the watch underwent servicing at Rolex in 2019, giving further confidence of the originality of the timepiece.
