Brand:
Rolex
Model:
Day-Date
Year:
1985
Reference:
18038
Original Box:
Included
Original Papers:
Included
Warranty:
12 months
Overall Condition:
Very Good
Wear level Case:
Barely visible
Wear level Caseback:
Barely visible
Wear level Dial:
None
Wear level Crystal:
None
Wear level Bezel:
Barely visible
Wear level Bracelet Clasp:
Barely visible
Movement Type:
Automatic
Caliber:
3055
Power Reserve:
42 hours
Case Material:
Yellow Gold
Case Diameter:
36 mm
Bezel Material:
Yellow Gold
Crystal:
Sapphire crystal
Dial Color:
Blue
Bracelet Material:
Yellow Gold
Bracelet Color:
Gold
Clasp Type:
Fold clasp
Clasp Material:
Yellow Gold
Functions:
Date, Weekday, Central seconds, Screw-Down Crown
The Day-Date was introduced by Rolex in 1956 as the first wristwatch to show the day of the week in full next to the date, and the President bracelet, made for it, is what turned it into the watch of heads of state. The reference 18038 was built from 1978 to 1988 as the fourth generation of the yellow gold Day-Date with a fluted bezel, and it carries calibre 3055, which allows the date to be set quickly, behind a sapphire crystal that was new to the model.
The usual 18038 has a champagne dial, a colour that simply continues the gold of the case. This one has a blue dial, and it changes the character of the watch. Printed in gold and fitted with applied baton indices, with a fine Roman numeral minute track at the edge, the blue sets the gold apart as a contrast instead of a continuation, so the bezel, the day window and the links of the President stand out more clearly. It is a quieter way to wear a gold Day-Date, and a less usual one.