Rolex Day-Date 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 18238 (The President)
Complications / Luxury Dress Watch · Rolex (Rolex SA). Top-tier luxury status. The Day-Date is the flagship of the Rolex catalog, historically offered only in precious metals.
Period: Neo-Vintage (late 1980s - 1990s). Stylistic indicators include the Double Quickset movement functionality (implied by the dial/reference era), sapphire crystal, and 18k yellow gold fluted bezel.
Type
Complications / Luxury Dress Watch
Brand
Rolex (Rolex SA). Top-tier luxury status. The Day-Date is the flagship of the Rolex catalog, historically offered only in precious metals.
Movement
Automatic/Self-winding, Rolex Calibre 3155. Features 31 jewels, 28,800 bph frequency, and a 48-hour power reserve. Includes 'Double Quickset' for independent day and date adjustment.
Dimensions
36mm diameter, 12mm thickness, 43mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug width. This classic 36mm size is the traditional standard for the Day-Date.
Description
The Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18238 is the quintessential 'President's Watch.' This specific example features a rare and desirable blue sunburst diamond-set dial. As the world’s first watch to display the date and the day of the week spelled out in full, the Day-Date represents the pinnacle of Rolex prestige and horological tradition.
Key Features
18k solid gold construction, Double Quickset movement (Cal. 3155), fluted bezel, President bracelet, and factory diamond indices on a sunburst blue dial.
Dial Description
Blue sunburst finish with a radial grain. Features eight factory-set round diamond hour markers and two baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9. Gold baton hands. Apertures for day of the week at 12 and date at 3.
Case Material
18k Yellow Gold. The case features a combination of brushed finishes on the lug tops and high-polished flanks. Note: Significant heavy tarnishing/patina is visible on the gold surfaces.
Crystal Type
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a Cyclops magnification lens over the date. Condition shows visible surface smudging and possible light scratches.
Bezel Details
Fixed 18k Yellow Gold fluted bezel. Condition shows softening of the 'teeth' edges due to wear and possible over-polishing in the past.
Crown & Pushers
18k Yellow Gold Twinlock screw-down crown with Rolex coronet logo. Crown appears partially unscrewed or slightly misaligned in the image.
Bracelet or Strap
Rolex President bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold with semi-circular three-piece links. Features a concealed folding Crownclasp. Significant tarnishing and visible link stretch are present.
Caseback Details
Solid, screw-down 18k yellow gold caseback with a fluted rim for the Rolex opening tool. Features no external engravings, typical of this era.
Movement Type
Automatic/Self-winding, Rolex Calibre 3155. Features 31 jewels, 28,800 bph frequency, and a 48-hour power reserve. Includes 'Double Quickset' for independent day and date adjustment.
Water Resistance
100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming if gaskets are intact and crown is screwed down, but not recommended for this specific vintage gold piece without testing.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made (Geneva). Fully in-house manufacture of both the movement and the gold alloy.
Age Estimate
Circa 1988-2000. The 'Swiss Made' text at 6 o'clock suggests a production date after the tritium era (post-1998) or a later service dial replacement.
Cultural Significance
Representing the ultimate symbol of success and 'making it,' the Day-Date is perhaps the most recognizable gold watch in history, influencing luxury watch design for over 70 years.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The watch displays heavy oxidation (tarnish) on the gold, significant bracelet stretch, and overall wear. The crown and bezel show signs of heavy use. Requires professional cleaning and likely a mechanical service.
Value Estimate
$14,000 - $18,000 USD. Value is heavily impacted by the bracelet stretch and the need for a full service, though the blue diamond dial adds a premium.
Care & Maintenance
Recommended service every 5-10 years. Due to current visible oxidation, a professional ultrasonic cleaning and light Cape Cod cloth treatment may be needed, along with pressure testing for water resistance.
Similar Watches
Rolex Day-Date 118238 (later version with heavier lugs/bracelet), Rolex Datejust 36 (no day display), Patek Philippe Calatrava (more understated dress alternative).
Interesting Facts
The 'President' nickname was solidified when Rolex gifted one to Dwight D. Eisenhower. It has since been worn by JFK, LBJ, and countless world leaders and cultural icons.