Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1980 Reference No: 18038 Movement No: 1'291'083 Case No: 6'262'675, caseback stamped "18000" Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped "55" to the endlinks, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped "8385" and "E" Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex additional hands, product literature, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The star of the show in the present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18038 is without a doubt its sublime onyx dial. Hardstone dials have become very popular in recent times, due to the combined action of the public realizing their intrinsic rarity - due to the difficulty of slicing the flawless discs required for this construction - and at the same time their apparent beauty.
In this instance, the clean dial layout allows the hardstone to be fully admired, and given the pitch black sheen of onyx the impression is that of staring into an impossibly clean and flawless lacquered dial. The gilt text against the glossy black onyx is a perfect match with the case, giving the present timepiece a distinct and balanced appeal. In fact, the black-and-gold combination is one of the most appreciated in watchmaking (one example above all is the JPS Paul Newman). Presented in very attractive overall condition, thanks to its stately but balanced looks combined with the versatility of the Day-Date case, the present timepiece is one of those rare collector’s watches with the potential to be worn in virtually any situation, from a casual lunch among friends to the most elegant gala.
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.