77 Rolex Rare and Well Preserved, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With SNAS Logo Dial, Reference 18 238

Estimate: €12,000 –⁠ 24,000

Model: Day-Date
Reference: 18 238
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1988
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3155
Case N°: R702162
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case

The Rolex Day-Date was first introduced in 1956 and was the brand’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, it is probably the model where Rolex has creatively explored the most, giving birth to some unusual and rare creations. 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 offered here 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. Housed in a very well preserved yellow-gold case under the reference 18 238 with its original bracelet, this reference was released by Rolex in 1988 and featured a new caliber 3155. Essentially bearing similar aesthetics to its ancestral models, it featured a practical single quickset mechanism for adjusting the date. Offered in excellent condition, this lot is the missing piece for all Rolex “special logo” collectors.