Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1990 Reference No: 18238 Movement No: 6'835'945 Case No: E225199 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold, blood stone and diamonds Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee and hang tag.
Catalogue Essay
Always glamourous and flamboyant, the Day-Date model delights with its myriad of dial, bracelet, bezel and gold-finished designs.
Since its inception in 1956, it remains one of the most surprising and diverse flagship models Rolex has ever produced. Apart from prototype models, the Day-Date has only been cased in precious metals, attesting to its glamour and prestige.
The present reference 18238 features an incredibly rare and charismatic blood stone dial that is defined by its forest green hue and subtle copper flecks throughout. The material is in perfect contrast with the warm gold case and round diamond markers for a powerful aesthetic result.
Offered in absolutely crisp and unspoiled condition, the watch boasts sharp finishes to the edge of the lugs and crisp hallmarks and is accompanied by its original punched warranty papers.
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. 18238 A highly rare, attractive and well-preserved yellow gold calendar wristwatch with blood stone dial, caseback sticker, bracelet and guarantee
Circa 1990 36mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed