Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1989 Reference No: 18349 Movement No: 5'025'361 Case No: L814873 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 190mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed folding clasp stamped "8385" Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Seen on the wrist of numerous presidents and important personalities, the Rolex Day-Date has generated an iconic status since its initial release in 1956. Encased in precious metals, the Day-Date presents one of the most diverse ranges of wristwaches that Rolex has to offer, with examples in varying sizes, case and dial materials, dial configuration and gem-set examples as well.
In 1988, Rolex introduced a new movement for the Day-Date generation, calire 3155. It featured a double quick-set function for adjusting both the day and date via the crown. This brand-new upgrade enhanced drastically the practicality and robustness of the watch. It was first used in the Rolex Day-Date reference 18200 and 18300 series.
The present example reference 18349 is most notably cased in white gold and is fitted with a beautiful diamond bezel and President white gold bracelet, with the "4" in the reference number referring to the diamond bezel and "9" referring to white gold. Dating from circa 1989 with an “L” serial number, it is a premium specimen featuring an exceptionally well-preserved case with sharp edges. The numbers between the lugs are deep and legible even without the aid of a loupe as well as the hallmarks beneath the lugs. Furthermore, beautifully paired with a matching sunburst silver dial adorned with diamond-set indexes, this subtle yet classy example is perfect for any occasion.
Lavish and luxurious, this particular watch, preserved in excellent and barely worn condition, will certainly appeal to the enthusiastic collector of timeless, elegant wristwatches.
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.