Rolex Day-Date 18K WG (Ref. 18039) Onyx Stone Dial, 1982

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

In 1977, Rolex introduced the Day-Date reference 18039, ushering in a new era for the iconic “President” line through a series of meaningful technical refinements. Most notably, the reference debuted the sapphire crystal and the upgraded Cal. 3055 movement, which introduced the convenience of a quick-set date function via the second crown position. This advancement earned the reference the nickname “Single-Quick” Day-Date and marked a significant evolution in both functionality and modernity for Rolex’s flagship dress watch. On an extremely limited basis, Rolex produced timepieces featuring exotic materials, crafting dials from a wide array of minerals, woods, and stones such as black onyx, burl wood, lapis lazuli, birch, fossil, coral, aventurine, and ferrite, among others. Each exotic variant was strikingly vivid in appearance while maintaining a minimalist elegance, and production numbers varied greatly depending on the rarity and difficulty of sourcing the material itself; the rarer the material, the fewer examples Rolex produced. Today, well-preserved examples of these exotic Rolex Day-Date references have become exponentially harder to find, fueled by a devoted cult following and limited market circulation, as collectors rarely part with them due to the individuality, artistry, and coveted value each unique dial retains. As a result, whenever one surfaces for sale, it is regarded as something truly special. On an even more exclusive, perhaps even finite, basis, Rolex fitted these exotic stone dials into white metal references such as 18K white gold and platinum. Regarded by many collectors as the ultimate “holy grails” of stone dial collecting, some of these production runs are believed to consist of only a handful of examples. These exceptionally elusive, near-mythical executions transform the character of the stone dial entirely, pairing the organic depth of the material with the cool, restrained elegance of white metal to create a sharper, more refined aesthetic rarely seen within Rolex’s traditionally warm-toned luxury pedigree. This particular example, fitted with its original black onyx stone dial, represents one of the most desirable configurations within the entire stone dial Day-Date lineage. Preserved in remarkable collector-worthy condition, the watch retains a flawless dial and an impressively strong case, further elevated by its proximity in serial sequence to another known example previously sold through Phillips in 2017. The cool restraint of white gold paired against the deep, uninterrupted black surface of the onyx creates a uniquely sharp and sophisticated aesthetic, one far more understated and architectural than its yellow gold counterparts, while remaining unmistakably luxurious, underscoring both the rarity and significance of this extraordinary reference. SPECS Stock # RLXDD18039ONX Brand Rolex Style Day-Date Model 18039 Serial 730XXXX Size Men's Material 18K White Gold Dial Onyx Stone Millimeters 36 Bracelet Rolex 8385 18K WG President Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The crisp and well-preserved 18K white gold case retains very thick, symmetrical lugs that feature sharp edges and finishing with only gentle signs of use and nominal evidence of prior polishing. The 18K white gold fluted bezel is also in impressive condition, showing crisp and defined edges throughout the fluting. The era-correct Rolex 8385 18K white gold President bracelet retains 23 links that show minimal stretch and will fit up to a 7.25-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original and incredibly rare "T Swiss T" Onyx stone dial is in perfect condition, exhibiting no cracks or damage. Framed by the 18K white gold case, silver printing, and white gold surrounds for the day and date windows, the deep-black, mirror-like surface of the onyx is allowed to take center stage in its purest and most striking form. The original solid white gold hands are in perfect condition as well. The white date wheel is original with "open" 6 and 9 numerals, and the day wheel language is English. ACCESSORIES