8058
Rolex
Ref. 18038
Day-Date
A very well-preserved, rare and attractive yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, baguette-cut sapphire-set indexes and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$95,000 - 190,000€11,200 - 22,400$12,200 - 24,400
HK$203,200
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1986
- Reference No
- 18038
- Movement No
- 1'623'177
- Case No
- 9'912'013
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18K yellow gold, diamonds and sapphires
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp stamped “8385” and “K10”
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
- The Day-Date is renowned for its exquisite combination of precious metals and gem-set stones, representing the pinnacle of Rolex’s collections. This particular model showcases a stunning combination of a diamond-set champagne dial and baguette-cut sapphires hour markers, exuding an air of glamour and sophistication. Additionally, it boasts exceptional preservation, featuring a thick case with crisp hallmarks.
- The reference 18038 is distinguished by its sapphire crystal and the upgraded caliber 3055, which introduced a quick-set date function—key improvements over the earlier reference 1803, which had an acrylic crystal and lacked the ability to easily adjust the date by pulling the crown halfway.
- The present watch is one of an exceedingly limited number of Day-Dates featuring sapphire baguettes. Offered nearly 10 years ago in our inaugural auction, this particular example has remained untouched by the collector, preserving the same pristine condition as when it was first sold. Such rare pieces seldom appear on the market, making their availability a noteworthy occasion.
- The reference 18038 is distinguished by its sapphire crystal and the upgraded caliber 3055, which introduced a quick-set date function—key improvements over the earlier reference 1803, which had an acrylic crystal and lacked the ability to easily adjust the date by pulling the crown halfway.
- The present watch is one of an exceedingly limited number of Day-Dates featuring sapphire baguettes. Offered nearly 10 years ago in our inaugural auction, this particular example has remained untouched by the collector, preserving the same pristine condition as when it was first sold. Such rare pieces seldom appear on the market, making their availability a noteworthy occasion.
Provenance
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.
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