75 Rolex Extremely Rare and Well Preserved, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, SNAS Logo Dial, Reference 18 038, With Warranty
Estimate: €10,000 – 20,000
Sold (Premium)€20,800
Model: Day-Date
Reference: 18038
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1979
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3055
Case N°: 5986371
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Warranty
The Rolex Day-Date was first introduced in 1956 and was the firm’s first wristwatch to indicate both the day and date through apertures on the dial. Regarded as one of the most iconic models by Rolex is probably the model where the fantasy and creation of Rolex have explored the most, giving birth to some unusual and rare specimens. Specifically, Rolex made a lot of dials with company, team/event logos, military insignias, and Middle Eastern rulers” signatures over the years. Most of them hail from the 1950s–1980s. At one point they advertised corporate-branded Rolex as a good service award for loyal employees, so they weren’t just reluctantly fulfilling special requests, they were actively seeking out clients for it. The example here offered is one of those bearing one of these special logos dial: that of SNAS. Originally delivered to Saudi Aviation company SNAS, a cargo airline which was owned by Crown Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, this watch is part of a very small batch made with this unusual logo. Equipped on a very well preserved yellow-gold case under the reference 18 038 with its original bracelet, this reference was released by Rolex in 1977 and featured a new caliber 3055. Essentially bearing similar aesthetics to its ancestral models, it featured a practical single quickset mechanism for adjusting the date. Offered with the original warranty, this lot is the missing piece for all the Rolex “special logo” collectors.