28 Rolex Extremely Well Preserved and Attractive, Bark Finish Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Rare Diamond-set Mother-of-pearl Dial, Reference 18 038

Estimate: €10,000 –⁠ 20,000

Model: Day-Date
Reference: 18 038
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1978
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3055
Case N°: 5 662 446
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Box, Booklets, Pochette and Additional Links

The Day-Date is well known for having been a canvas onto which Rolex unleashed an innumerable number of variations and experiments for cases style and dials. But what truly makes a watch exceptional? Can it be the complexity of its mechanism or rather the choice of materials and finishes? Maybe the design or the style? The true secret of success lies in the masterful combination of flair, creativity, personality and, of course, a bit of luck. This elegant reference 18 038 is surely the perfect example of successful creation. First of all, is not a simple Day-Date but the most prestigious version with the bark finishing that goes on the bezel and bracelet, all preserved in astonishing conditions. The present reference is part of the new generation of Day-Date fitted with Rolex’s caliber 3055, which features a quick-set function allowing for rapid adjustment of the date. Listing all the stones and materials used by Rolex to manufacture the dials for the Day-Date is an extremely complicated quest: made under special request or directly inserted in the catalogues, these dials are elusive and they always manage to strike the collectors. Mother-of-pearl dials is surely part of this list and when embellished with colorful indexes are even more appreciable. The lot here offered is a truly charming example with a MOP dial accented with diamond indexes and this specimen can definitely be considered as an exceptional watch.