Rolex Day-Date 'Double Quickset', 1995

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Why We Love it The Rolex Day-Date "President' is arguably the most important dress watch in history Worn as an accessory with a fine bespoke suit or with jeans and a t-shirt, a solid gold Rolex might just change the way you think about precious metal wristwatches. And going with a true icon, worn by everyone from President Eisenhower to Tony Soprano, makes the idea of adding a little extra shine to your wardrobe that much more compelling. This particular watch, a Reference 18238, dates to 1995 and is - in a word - mint. This model features a "double quickset" movement, meaning that minimal effort need be extended when setting either the day or date functions. Its champagne-toned dial features evenly aged intact luminous plots and its magnified sapphire crystal is framed by a fluted yellow gold bezel. Spared the fate of so many Day-Dates, this particular watch shows almost no signs of wear or use and NO signs of polishing, with thick, sharp lugs, deep hallmarks - and a factory case back sticker intact on its backside. Paired up on an equally mint hidden clasp bracelet, this is quite simply a lovely example of one of our favorite vintage Rolex references. When only a gold watch will do - meetings with heads of state or the heads of the Five Families - a Day-Date is always the right choice. The Day-Date Story When you’ve got a good thing going, sometimes you just know . Such is the case with the Rolex Day-Date. At the time of the Day-Date’s release in 1956, it was Rolex’s most complicated wristwatch: all previous attempts had failed to resonate with consumers. But as soon as Rolex secured the patent in July of 1955, production of the Day-Date was rushed for a debut at the Basel Fair the following spring. Although early Day-Dates were plagued by technical problems resulting from the complexity of the automatic movement with dual calendar function, those were soon resolved. After President Eisenhower sported one (a gift from the manufacture), its success was secured. The watch came to be known as the “President,” (due to the fact that several U.S. presidents since Eisenhower have worn one), and it certainly lives up to its dignified nickname. For a brand that has built its reputation on its sports watches, it's perhaps unsurprising that the Rolex Day-Date is amongst the brand's best-sellers. True, the brand has always produced dress watches, but while the brand's more overt dress watch, the Cellini, often seems out of place among the brand's Oyster-cased offerings, the Day-Date is sturdy, solid, and at home alongside the Submariners and GMTs that make up the Oyster Perpetual collection. Rolex has approached continual development of model as they do every other, making quiet improvements over the following decades, ensuring the Day-Date is worthy as the centerpiece of Rolex's Oyster line as horological technology evolves. Whether a simple 36mm yellow gold piece or a Day-Date II 41mm Day-Date in platinum with a gem set dial, the Day-Date is internationally recognized as time timepiece of success and leadership, and of great taste.