Rolex Day-Date ref. 18078, 'Bark' with 'Birchwood' Dial

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

When the Day-Date was released in 1956, Rolex had made numerous attempts to capture the market with more complicated timepieces such as the Ref. 6036, the Ref. 8171, and the Ref. 6062, but it seemed like buyers were not particularly fond of complicated Rolexes. All of that changed when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was spotted wearing one Rolex in particular: a Day-Date. The model has since become known worldwide as ‘The President’ and as a symbol of success and prestige. Simply put, this one stuck. The Day-Date was available for many years on a leather strap with a matching gold buckle, but also on a solid gold bracelet (called a 'President' bracelet), like the example that we have here. However, this isn't your run of the mill Day-Date... Dating to circa 1978, the Reference 18078 that we have here features not only a special lacquered wood dial, but a very thematically appropriate case and bracelet to house it. Unique to this reference, this piece stands out amongst your typical Day-Dates from the era with what Rolex might call 'special finishing' — in this case, 'bark' finishing. The bezel and center links on the 'President' bracelet feature a hand-finished pattern that that was found on some Day-Dates in the 1970s into the 1980s. Also during this time, there where a few different wood dial variants available, with the example that we have here being of the 'birchwood' variant. The dial itself remains in very nice overall condition, with a smooth glossy surface and clear gold printing throughout. It has applied indices, framed day and date apertures, an applied logo at the 12 o'clock position, and a matching handset. There is one faint edge fracture visible on the top left of the day aperture, which appears to be on the surface and not the dial. The case, bracelet and bezel are also in excellent condition. The case shows signs of having been very lightly previously polished and shows normal wear throughout with a few small impressions. The matching bracelet appears to have had the outer portion of the links lightly polished, preserving the correct 'bark'-finished center portion, which remain crisp and defined. The bezel is also seemingly devoid of any polishing. The combination of the brown wood dial within the yellow gold 'bark' case is undeniably a very of-it's-time combination and a perfect one at that. We think it had aged beautifully and collectors seem to agree. As a result, these remain sought after and collectible — and its not everyday that they surface in strong, honest condition like this.