8 Rolex A very well preserved and fascinating, Day-Date, automatic wristwatch in yellow gold, with japanese-disc and natural wood-dial, reference 18038.
Estimate: € 20.000 – 40.000
A 20% import VAT is due on the final price including premium, only if it is delivered within the EU.
Create an account or log in to place absentee and live bids.
- Model Day-Date
- Year Circa 1982
- Reference 18038
- Case Material 18K yellow gold
- Case Number 7'456'727
- Bracelet Material 18K yellow gold Rolex bracelet, approximate length 200mm
- Movement Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
- Dimension 36mm Diameter
- Signed Case, dial and movement
Introduced in 1978, the Rolex Day-Date reference 18038 marked an important evolution of the iconic “President”, combining the unmistakable elegance of its predecessor with the technical advancements of Rolex’s new generation of movements. The present example, dating to circa 1982, is crafted in 18K yellow gold and is distinguished by its exceptionally attractive natural birch burlwood dial, whose warm honey-brown tones and highly irregular swirling grain create a unique and richly organic appearance. The dial is further enhanced by applied yellow gold baton indexes and matching hands, while the signature day and date apertures at 12 and 3 o’clock preserve the instantly recognizable architecture of the Day-Date. Particularly noteworthy is the Japanese-language day disc, displaying the days of the week in Japanese characters, a feature supplied for watches destined for the Japanese market and rarely encountered today. The characteristic fluted bezel frames the dial with a crisp geometric contrast to the natural texture of the wood, while the watch is fitted with the iconic integrated President bracelet in yellow gold. At its heart beats Rolex’s self-winding calibre 3055, introduced with the reference 18038 and notable for its quickset date mechanism, allowing the wearer to adjust the date independently. Combining precious metal, a highly individual natural wood dial and a Japanese-language day display, the present reference 18038 is an elegant and particularly distinctive example of one of Rolex’s most enduring creations.
Condition Report
Create an account or log in to view the condition report!
Auction Preview
GENEVA
Eternity Gallery Geneva, 19 Place de Longemalle
HONG KONG
Opera Gallery Hong Kong, 1 Duddell Street, Unit 01, 11/F, Central
MILANO
Portrait Milano Hotel, Corso Venezia, 11
BOLOGNA
Time on Show Bologna, Viale della Fiera, 20