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Reference: 18038
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Movement: Automatic Rolex Cal. 3055
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Age: 1987
- Case Size: 36mm
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Case Condition: Very good.
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Bracelet Condition: Very good.
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Box & Papers: Watch only
- Case Material: 18k yellow gold
The Day-Date needs little introduction, but a good one deserves a proper description. This 1987 ref. 18038 is the full package: solid 18K yellow gold case, fluted bezel, and matching 8385 President bracelet. The weight and presence of a full-gold Day-Date is something you have to experience to fully appreciate, and this one delivers it completely.
The dial is original champagne tritium with matching tritium hands, and the warm, even patina across both is exactly what you want to see on a watch of this age. Original tritium dials on 18038s are increasingly sought after, as a significant number of examples have been fitted with service dials or later luminova variants over the years. This one is untouched.
Under the case back sits the Calibre 3055, the first Day-Date movement to feature a quickset date. It makes the watch considerably more practical day-to-day than the earlier non-quickset models, without giving anything away in terms of character or collectability.
Condition
The case retains its factory lines and strong proportions throughout, with no evidence of polishing. The fluted bezel is sharp and well defined. The President bracelet is in very good condition for a 1980s example, with strong links and solid structural integrity. The sapphire crystal is clean, and the watch is running well following full inspection.
Offered watch only, with Cotswold Time documentation and our standard 12-month warranty.
Why this one
Clean, unpolished, original-dial 18038s in solid gold are genuinely difficult to find in this condition. The combination of the tritium dial, unmolested case and bracelet, and the practicality of the quickset calibre makes this one of the stronger examples we have offered. Solid gold Day-Dates at this quality level are only going in one direction on price.
