Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: 18239B Movement No: 7’156’509 Case No: W’392’696, inside caseback stamped “18200” Model Name: Day-Date 'Tridor' Material: 18K white gold and 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Tri-coloured 18K gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “55BG”, max length 180mm 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 stamped Brunati Zürich and dated 14th November 1995, three individual Rolex Japan international service guarantees, leather card holder, instruction manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Iconic in design, the present Day-Date ref. 18239B is exemplary of Rolex’s expertise in the research of new materials such as the “Tridor,” introduced in the mid-1980s. Featuring three colours blended onto the bracelet’s center links, the result is achieved by the fusion of white gold, pink gold and yellow gold, in which they form a unique alloy together.
The present example is surely a rare and attractive one. Boasting a delightful sunburst champagne dial topped with diamond indexes, this Day-Date is fitted in a staple two-tone yellow and white gold case, complemented by a Tridor bracelet. Offered in an attractive overall condition, this elegant ref. 18239B is accompanied by its original Rolex Tridor presentation box and warranty.
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. 18239B A fine and attractive two-tone white gold and yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, diamond-set indexes, champagne dial, tri-coloured gold bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 1995 36mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed