US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
186
Rolex
Ref. 18238
Day-Date
A fine and attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with center seconds, diamond-set indexes, black mother of pearl dial, caseback sticker, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- CHF20,000 - 40,000€21,600 - 43,200$25,100 - 50,200
CHF48,260
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1995
- Reference No
- 18238
- Movement No
- 8078288
- Case No
- W472321
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18k yellow gold, diamonds and mother-of-pearl
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18k yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 170mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Emperor Watch & Jewellery Co., LTD., Hong Kong dated 26th July 1996, instruction manual, product literature, leather folder, note pad, cloth, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1988 to replace the reference 18038, reference 18238 was upgraded with the firm’s newest cal. 3155 featuring a double quickset function for the day and date, allowing wearers to adjust at ease via the crown. The reference 18238 was discontinued in 2000 making way for its new model reference 118238.
The present example is fitted with a black mother of pearl dial adorned with baguette-cut diamond-set indexes, packing a heavy visual punch. With much flare and an exquisite in appeal, the black mother of pearl dial emits various hues and iridescence under various lighting.
Rolex in particular excels in using hard stone and unusual materials. The manufacture has elevated its dress watches with materials such as rubellite, blood stone, coral, and a number of different fossil stones, providing an unusual design twist to classic models.
This rare variant of reference 18238 is fitted with a most probably unpolished case with clean and sharp edges and a dial that presents no cracks or fissures. All crisp hallmarks are present on the caseback, further underscoring its condition and rarity. Furthermore, it is accompanied by its full set of accessories, retaining its caseback sticker, providing another element of collectability.
The present example is fitted with a black mother of pearl dial adorned with baguette-cut diamond-set indexes, packing a heavy visual punch. With much flare and an exquisite in appeal, the black mother of pearl dial emits various hues and iridescence under various lighting.
Rolex in particular excels in using hard stone and unusual materials. The manufacture has elevated its dress watches with materials such as rubellite, blood stone, coral, and a number of different fossil stones, providing an unusual design twist to classic models.
This rare variant of reference 18238 is fitted with a most probably unpolished case with clean and sharp edges and a dial that presents no cracks or fissures. All crisp hallmarks are present on the caseback, further underscoring its condition and rarity. Furthermore, it is accompanied by its full set of accessories, retaining its caseback sticker, providing another element of collectability.
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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