We appreciate you contacting us. One of our colleagues will get back in touch with you soon!
Have a great day!
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 - Blue Sunburst Dial, Original Owner Watch
SOLD
Straight Facts
When the Day-Date was released in 1956, it was the only complicated Rolex for sale. Hard to believe, but people didn’t want Rolex’s previous attempts at complicated wristwatches. All of that changed when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was spotted wearing the Rolex, and the watch became known as ‘The President’. An internationally known symbol of success and prestige, the Rolex Day-Date was available for many years on a strap or matching solid gold bracelet.
This present example comes to us directly from the original owner, who was a successful businessman in New York City during the later half of the 20th Century. Purchased in 1978 in New York, he very rarely wore the watch - keeping it more as a trophy of his success, which explains the watches time-capsule like condition.
Fitted to the iconic yellow gold presidential bracelet, and finished a stunning blue sunburst dial, this ‘single-quick’ 18038 is a stunner with quick-set date to boot. The original owner rarely wore the watch, and as you’d expect the dial condition is flawless with fully in-tact lume plots and perfectly matching handset. The outer track of this example also features Roman numerals, as opposed to the far more common rail-scale which adds an additional air of refinement. The concealed clasp Presidential has no signs of stretch, and the case is truly unpolished with signs of handling wear only. All for about half the cost of a brand new 36mm Day-Date - and you can say you have something in common with President Eisenhower. Hows that for bragging rights?
*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.
Condition Report & Details
Condition:
Movement:
Bracelet/Strap:
Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty Exclusions:
- Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
Choose options
"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."
"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."
"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."
From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.
Oliver & Clarke