Superb 1978 Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 in Yellow Gold

Launched in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date is the first wristwatch to display the date and the day spelled out in full, and is produced only in precious metals. The 18038 inaugurated its fourth generation in 1977, marked by the introduction of the Rolex caliber 3055 with quickset date, and of the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The Oyster case in 18-carat yellow gold measures 36 mm in diameter and gives pride of place to the characteristic fluted bezel.
The example we are pleased to offer was produced in 1978 (serial no. 572xxxx) and is presented in superb overall condition. The silver sunburst dial is splendid, and the luminescent material (tritium-based) on the baton hands and at the tips of the hour markers has developed a superb orange patina, warm and even. The day disc is in Spanish. The Rolex caliber 3055 has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs perfectly. We present this watch on a new Amplitude° strap in “Gold” grained calfskin, hand-stitched by our craftsman, complemented by a yellow-gold-plated Rolex pin buckle.
A superb example of the reference 18038, which marks the Day-Date’s entry into modernity. An ideal watch for everyday wear, as well as for the most elegant occasions.

Launched in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date is the first series-produced wristwatch to display simultaneously the date and the day of the week spelled out in full in dedicated windows. To carry this mechanical manifesto, Rolex designed in parallel the “President”, a bracelet with three semi-circular links now inseparable from the model, and laid down from the outset a principle without exception: the Day-Date is produced only in precious metals (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum), never in steel. It would notably grace the wrist of Lyndon B. Johnson, who helped popularise its nickname of “the Presidents’ watch”, and would establish itself as the pinnacle of the Oyster collection.

In 1977, Rolex launched the fourth generation of the Day-Date, whose yellow gold version with fluted bezel is the reference 18038. The major innovations were the arrival of the Rolex caliber 3055, which introduced for the first time in the line a rapid, independent date setting (“quickset”) – a great convenience compared with the previous generation, on which the hour hand had to be moved past midnight to advance the date, as many times as necessary to reach the current day – and of the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The 18038 also retains the model’s canonical attributes: the 36 mm solid gold Oyster case, the screw-down caseback and crown, the characteristic fluted bezel, the Cyclops (the magnifying lens for the date), and the day disc available in twenty-six languages! The reference would be replaced in 1988 by the 18238, which saw the introduction of the caliber 3155 with the so-called “double quickset” function (rapid date and day).

The example we are pleased to offer was produced in 1978 (serial no. 572xxxx) and is presented in superb overall condition. The 18-carat yellow gold case has retained its original proportions and finishes, alternating between matte satin/brushed and shiny mirror-polished surfaces with crisp edges, and the fluted bezel remains perfectly defined. The silver sunburst dial is in keeping: all the original luminescent dots (tritium-based; “T SWISS MADE T” at 6 o’clock) have developed a warm and even orange patina, matching that of the baton hands. The day disc is in Spanish. The highly reliable self-winding mechanical movement, Rolex caliber 3055, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and operates to the strictest tolerances.

The watch is presented on a new Amplitude° strap in “Gold”-coloured grained calfskin, hand-stitched by our craftsman, and complemented by a yellow-gold-plated Rolex pin buckle. A configuration that gives the piece a more contemporary character, easier to wear every day than the solid gold President bracelet – without sacrificing any of its nobility. The watch also comes with our Steel Warranty Card.

The central reference of the fourth generation of the Day-Date, the 18038 marks the move into modernity of the model invariably regarded as the “pinnacle” of the Rolex Oyster catalogue since 1956. The convenient everyday “quickset date”, the timeless 36 mm size, solid yellow gold and the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal make it an ideal watch for everyday wear as well as for the most elegant occasions. This 1978 example, in superb condition and with its warm tritium patina, offers, in our view, a particularly accomplished interpretation of it.

This very fine Day-Date reference 18038 is presented in excellent overall condition.
The 36 mm 18-carat yellow gold case is very well preserved and has broad, satin-finished lugs, just as when this watch was made in 1978. The yellow gold fluted bezel retains particularly well-defined grooves.
The silver sunburst dial is very well preserved. The tritium luminous dots have developed a superb warm and even patina. The day (in Spanish) and date discs are original, and thus feature open 6s and 9s.
The hand-stitched Amplitude° strap in Gold-coloured grained calfskin is new, and the yellow-gold-plated Rolex pin buckle is in excellent condition.
The self-winding mechanical movement powering this Day-Date, Rolex caliber 3055, has recently undergone a complete service by a watchmaker specialising in vintage models, and operates to the strictest tolerances.
A piece nearly 50 years old and yet remarkably well preserved, both aesthetically and mechanically.

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