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Rolex Day-Date Ref.18238 - Carousel Dial

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.

However, this is no ordinary ‘President’

This present example is even more special by the presence of one of the rarest dials ever fitted to a standard production Day-Date: ‘The Carousel’ Dial. There are a few variations, but the general theme revolves around a high-end execution of a tuxedo or sector dial, where the outer track and inner tracks of the dial are executed in distinct color-ways. In the case of this example, the outer track is done in stunning precious white enamel, while the inner track is pave diamond set. Oh, and did we mention the rail track is also done in pave?

Beyond the dial, this 18238 is fitted to the iconic yellow gold Presidential bracelet, making this Carousel a stunner with quick-set date to boot. The condition is truly exceptional throughout, and the diamonds that Rolex chooses to use for its watches are of the highest quality and play off beautifully against the yellow gold and white enamel brilliantly. The concealed clasp Presidential has almost zeriosigns of stretch, and the case is well preserved to the point of even retaining its Asia market case back sticker! This is certainly not the carousel you knew as kid!

*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.

Yellow Gold 1989 Automatic Dress

"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

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