Rolex Day-Date 18038

Rolex Ref. 18038 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

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 Accessories : With Rolex Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel dated 17 February 1987, International Service Guarantee dated 18 June 2015, fitted presentation box and outer packaging Provenance : Phillips: The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE on 1 December 2015, lot 95 - 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.