Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: 18239 Movement No: 7'234'454 Case No: W992854 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K white gold and diamonds Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex presentation box and product literature.
Catalogue Essay
Replacing the famed ref. 1803, Rolex released the white gold Day-Date reference 18239 in 1988 along with its other counterparts in various case materials. With an upgraded caliber 3155, the movement was equipped with a desirable and practical quick-set date feature. The reference was discontinued in 2000 making way for the new ref. 118239.
This superb white gold Day-Date is fitted with an incredibly attractive and very rare salmon-colored dial with diamond-set numerals. Preserved in excellent condition, it displays crisp hallmarks under the lugs and sharp finishes throughout.
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.
