Rolex
*Unpolished* 1985 Rolex Day-Date 18K YG (Ref. 18078) Taupe "Havana" Dial
The Rolex Day-Date is one of the most iconic and beautiful watches in the Rolex catalog. The Rolex Day-Date earned the nickname "President" after it had been rumored that President Dwight Eisenhower began wearing one. In reality, Eisenhower wore a Rolex 18K yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Datejust which Rolex gifted to him in 1950. However, the nickname President stuck and is quite fitting for the Day-Date as Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Reagan, and Nixon all wore the Rolex Day-Date model. It has always been a symbol of status and luxury as the Rolex Day-Date is only made in precious metals most commonly 18k yellow gold and possesses both the day and date complications within the movement.
In 1977 Rolex updated the iconic Day-Date model aka the "President" with the references 18038, and 18078 for models produced with the "bark" styling. This new era featured some major changes to the Day-Date line of watches. The first of the major updates was the introduction of a sapphire crystal, but the biggest improvement was the introduction of the Cal. 3055 movement. This new and improved movement features a quick-set date function within the second position of the winding crown, landing this era with the nickname the "Single-Quick" Day-Date.
| Stock # |
RLXDD18078-3 |
|
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | Day-Date | |
| Model | 18078 | |
| Serial | 87XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | 18K Yellow Gold | |
| Dial | Taupe "Havana" | |
| Millimeters | 36 | |
| Bracelet | Rolex 8723 18K YG "Bark" President Bracelet |
CASE & BRACELET
The exceptionally crisp and impressive 18K yellow gold case remains in unpolished condition, showing minimal signs of use and factory finishing throughout. The 18K yellow gold bark-finished bezel is also unpolished with minimal elements of previous use present. The original Rolex 8723 bark-finished President bracelet retains 23 links that show no stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/4-inch wrist.
DIAL & HANDS
The uncommon and beautiful taupe sunburst "Havana" dial is beautifully preserved and exhibits minimal elements of age and no damage. The only age present is the very subtle patina formed around the lume plots which is extremely common for color dials in this era. The lume plots exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light and exhibit a subtle creamy patina. The original tritium hands have aged to a creamy color tone as well, though it is slightly lighter than the dial, no degradation is present in the hands under UV light inspection. The date wheel is original with "open" 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
The watch is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.
