141 Rolex Rare and Very Well Preserved, Red “Lobster” Stella Dial for Day Date 18038 and Similar Models, Applied Yellow Gold Baton Indexes and Luminous Dots

Estimate: €10,000 –⁠ 20,000

Model: Stella Dial
Year: 1980's
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case

Rolex Stella dials, introduced in the 1970s, are a particularly captivating chapter in the history of Rolex’s watchmaking. Named after the Italian word for “star” due to their vibrant, eye-catching colors, these dials are notable for their bold, lacquered finishes. They were part of the Rolex Day-Date collections during a period when Rolex explored more experimental and colorful designs. Stella dials are distinguished by their rich hues, which include shades such as turquoise, red, green, and yellow. Each dial is covered with a glossy lacquer that gives it a reflective, almost glass-like appearance. This bold approach was a departure from Rolex’s more traditional, subdued dial colors and was influenced by the era’s fashion trends, which embraced vivid colors and styles. The lot here offered is an exceptional and intact red “lobster” stella dial, signed Beyeler on the back, perfect for a Day Date reference 18 038 with applied yellow-gold baton indexes and luminous dots, outer minute / seconds track, apertures for the day & date. The Rolex Stella dials represent a unique moment in Rolex’s history where the brand experimented with design and color, creating timepieces that stand out not just for their functionality but also for their striking visual appeal.