Rolex
Reference 118238 Day-Date | A yellow gold automatic wristwatch with day, date, bracelet, and onyx dial, Circa 2000
Auction Closed
December 7, 07:12 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 30,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: onyx. diamond-set
Caliber: cal. 3155 automatic, 31 jewels
Case: 18k yellow gold, engraved screw down case back
Case number: P'337'752
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex President bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 36 mm diameter, bracelet circumference is approximately 165 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Rolex presentation box, Official Chronometer Certification dated June 9, 2004, leather card holder, leather bi-fold, service booklets, hang tags, and two additional links
Often known by its nickname ‘The President’ the Rolex Day-Date has been the watch of choice for titans of industry, world leaders, and celebrities alike. It is also one of the few models that has been offered with a wide variety of dial options from the factory since its inception in the 1950s. Over the decades, the Day-Date has been offered with stella dials, hardstone dials, all manner of gem-set dials, as well as company logs and military markings.
The present Day-Date is extremely unique in that it combines an onyx dial with diamond markers and applied indices. An onyx dial is a difficult thing to produce as it needs to be sliced thinly, polished, imprinted with text, and then also have the 18K yellow gold aperture frames and logo attached. Rolex upped the ante with this reference 118238 by also affixing applied Arabic 6 and 9 markers set with a solitaire diamond to the dial. The stunning combination and luster of yellow gold against the gloss black onyx is a truly timeless combination, and is accompanied by its original boxes and papers.