Rolex
1980 Rolex Day-Date 18K YG (Ref. 18038) Black 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 ref. 18038, which 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 featured a quick-set date function within the winding crowns second position, landing the ref. 18038 with the nickname the "Single-Quick" Day-Date.
Rolex finds the perfect balance between luxury and functionality, and this 1980 Rolex Day-Date ref. 18038 with a black sunburst dial is proof of that. There is always rigorous testing of approval for any materials used by Rolex, therefore only the finest materials are used to make Rolex watches.
| Stock # |
RLXDD18038 |
|
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | Day-Date | |
| Model | 18038 | |
| Serial | 64XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | 18K Yellow Gold | |
| Dial | Black | |
| Millimeters | 36 | |
| Strap | Rolex 8385 18K YG President Bracelet |
CASE & BRACELET
The exceptional 18K yellow gold case appears to have been gently polished once prior as the factory dimensions and finishing remain present with the lugs remaining thick and symmetrical throughout. The case does show honest signs of light use. The 18K yellow gold fluted bezel is in excellent overall condition with no notable signs of use. The original Rolex 18K yellow 8385 President Bracelet retains 23 links that exhibit light stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/4-inch wrist.
DIAL & HANDS
The beautiful black dial is in exceptional condition and features a subtle sunburst grain that comes through in the sunlight. The tritium lume plots feature an eggshell color and the 4 o'clock lume plot shows a subtle imperfection though no degradation is present in the lume when inspected under U.V. light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present under U.V. light inspection. The day wheel is in Spanish and the date wheel is original with open 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.