Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1990 Reference No: 18239B Movement No: 5'624'558 Case No: E'759'118, inside caseback stamped 18200 Model Name: Day-Date Tridor Material: 18k yellow gold, pink gold, white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold, yellow gold and rose gold Rolex Tridor bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Tridor Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
In the mid-1980s, Rolex introduced the Tridor (three gold) version of the Day-Date. One single model was launched with an elegant mix of three gold colors: a white gold case, President bracelet fused with yellow, white and pink gold center links, and in this case, diamond bezel.
The present watch is an exceptional example of the Tridor. Adorned with ten baguette-cut emeralds, the watch also displays a diamond-set bezel giving it an extra dose of luxury and glamour. As an even nicer touch, it is preserved in most probably unpolished condition and still retains its caseback sticker.
The state-of-the-art caliber powering this Day-Date model are characterized is the Double Quick-set day and date function, which allows a rapid date adjustment.
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.