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Rolex Day-date Ref.18038

A full 18k gold Day-Date: flashy, but certainly timeless.

This Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 dates to circa 1977 and pairs its full 18k yellow-gold case and President bracelet with a surprisingly cool silver dial. That contrast changes the character completely: still unmistakably a Day-Date, but cleaner and a little less obvious than the classic champagne-on-gold combination.

The familiar architecture is all there. A 36 mm Oyster case, fluted bezel, day spelled out at twelve and the date enlarged beneath the Cyclops at three.

Ref. 18038 marked an important step forward from the earlier 1803. Inside sits Rolex’s automatic calibre 3055, bringing a quickset date, while sapphire crystal replaced the acrylic used on the previous generation. The day-disc still has to be advanced conventionally, making this the so-called single quickset Day-Date; Rolex would only introduce quick-setting for both day and date with calibre 3155 in 1988.

Then there is the President bracelet. Its rounded links make a substantial amount of solid gold look relatively subtle on the wrist and have become almost inseparable from the Day-Date identity. Rolex’s flagship had already become associated with presidents and public figures by this point, but the silver dial gives this example a slightly quieter take on all that status.

A very early five-digit Day-Date with calibre 3055, full yellow gold and a silver dial that cuts through the usual champagne formula beautifully.

Available at Reestraat 3, Amsterdam.

Year

1977
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€ 17.900

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Brand Rolex
Movement Automatic
Model Day-Date
Diameter 36 mm
Reference 18038
Bracelet/strap: 18k Yellow gold
Year of production (circa) 1977
Lug Width 20 mm
Material 18k Yellow gold
Set Content Watch only
Crystal Sapphire
Warranty 2 year (AWCo)
Dial color Silver

The president’s watch! The Rolex Day-Date is probably one of the most instantly recognizable watch designs ever made. Being only available in precious metals, it has become synonymous with success and prestige. A watch to celebrate accomplishment.

The Day-Date was launched in 1956 as the Ref. 6510 and Ref. 6511. It was the first watch to display the day of the week as well as the date, hence the name. It was updated to the Ref. 6611, adding Superlative Chronometer certification to the mix. The 6611 is the only Day-Date ever to be made in steel, but only 6 pieces are known to exist.

And then from 1959 until the late 1970’s, we see the most popular vintage Day-Date: the 1800 series. This is the archetypal Day-Date we all know and love. Lyndon B. Johnson was spotted wearing one in 1965, putting the nickname President’s watch firmly in the collective memory.

A 1977 update saw the introduction of a quickset date, in the new 18000 reference series. It wasn’t until 1988 before the 18200 series received a quickset day function, becoming the double quickset.

The Day-Date is available in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum. Countless dial variations include wood, stone and Stella options. Among the many case/bracelet finishes available, the bark is probably best known, resembling the irregular pattern of tree bark. The Day-Date is one of the few Rolex lines with factory gem-set bezels and dials as an option.

The Day-Date is an icon in pop-culture. It wasn’t just American presidents like Johnson and Kennedy who put it on the map. From Tony Soprano to Tupac Shakur, from Warren Buffett to Jennifer Aniston, they were all spotted wearing Day-Dates. Are you next?

At AWCo we put the safety of our shipments upfront at all times. Therefore, we ship all our packages insured.

We strive to promptly handle packages to minimize delays. Delivery times begin from the day of dispatch. While we make every effort to ensure smooth delivery, we cannot be held responsible for delays caused by destination customs, local duties, taxes, or lost items during transit.

Certainly, we understand that overloaded mail-order companies can also contribute to potential delays in the delivery process. Despite our best efforts, external factors beyond our control may affect shipping times. Rest assured, we remain committed to providing timely service and will work diligently to ensure your order reaches you as promptly as possible. For any inquiries or updates, feel free to reach out to us at info@awco.nl. Your satisfaction is our priority.