Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1980 Reference No: 19018 Movement No: 0020643 Case No: 6'257'743 Model Name: Oysterquartz Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Quartz, cal. 5055, 11 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated September 6, 1980, product literature, tag and presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
From the 1970s, Rolex decided to develop its own in-house quartz movements. Starting with the caliber 5035 for the DateJust, they soon developed the caliber 5055 for the Day-Date. A new line named "OysterQuartz" was soon released, and was the model decorated with a variety of design flourishes. The model displays an angular case, an integrated bracelet, a flat sapphire crystal and most importantly, ticking seconds.
The present reference 19018 is distinguished by its sculptural design. Rare and extremely sought after, this model responds particularly badly to overpolishing, yet the present example is preserved in excellent condition. Furthermore, it is accompanied by all its original accessories such as the Garantie, numbered hang tag, presentation box and outer packaging.
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.