Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1991 Reference No: 18239 Movement No: 6’457’436 Case No: X732’436, inside caseback stamped 18200 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “55B”, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed folding clasp Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 3rd June 1994, instruction manual, product literature, hang tags, 1993-1994 calendar card, brown card holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Released in the late 1980s, the Rolex Day-Date ref. 18239 alongside its counterparts encased in various metals featured numerous upgrades enhancing the robustness, practicality and accuracy of the timepiece. Powered by the upgraded cal. 3155, the new movement featured for the first time a double quickset function allowing a straightforward and hassle-free adjustment of the day and date indication.
Gaining significant interest among collectors in recent times, the Rolex Day-Date is adored by many as it has remained an iconic timepiece since its initial release in 1956. Witnessed on the wrists of presidents and important figures, the Day-Date also offers collectors with a wide array of variations with differing metals and dial materials.
The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18239 from circa 1991 featuring a silvery sunburst dial with diamond-set indexes is certainly a handsome configuration matching harmoniously with the 18K white gold case. Preserved in attractive overall condition and accompanied by its original guarantee and presentation box, this present example will surely delight collectors of the timeless Rolex Day-Date.
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.
Ref. 18239 A very fine and attractive white gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, diamond-set indexes, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 1991 36mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
