C.1977 Rolex 36mm Oyster Perpetual President Day-date Chronometer Ref.18038 in 18KYG with rare factory Pearl dial & diamonds

Description

Pre-owned. Comes with an orig. Rolex red box+outer box but no paper.

This Rolex President in 18KYG has been very well kept by the long time owner for the last three decades when he purchased it 2nd hand from a friend. The watch has just been polished to factory specs and presents fresh as new with thick lugs. According to the production numbers, this watch dates to 1977 and sale would’ve been later.

This watch is fitted with an after-market diamonds bezel worth over US$2000 and it has an original and a very rare dial. The dial is a solid 18ct gold plate printed or engraved with a monogram of Rolex words then overlaid with a thin piece of translucent mother-of-pearl that reveals the monogram at certain angles under light, it is further enhanced with two baguette and 8 brilliant-cut diamond indexes. This dial alone is worth more than US$5000, and combined with the diamonds bezel, this watch is a truly captivating timepiece.

The Ref.18038 is the first Rolex to be fitted with the sapphire glass being the flagship model of the company when others were fitted with acrylic crystal well into late 1980s. It was also the first to feature a single quick-set date function with the then new movement Cal.3055 which was much improved over the Cal.1570, offering extra jewels, higher VPH from 21600 to 28800 (4Hz) and also a free-sprung balance.