The 1986 Rolex Day-Date President, the crown jewel of the Rolex catalog, stands as a captivating fusion of mastery and elegance. Debuting in 1956, the Day-Date is the first wristwatch to spell out all seven days of the week, a feat attributed to the extra-wide aperture at 12 o'clock on the dial.
With an engaging history, the Day-Date became widely recognized as the "President" watch, a title strengthened by its appearance on President Lyndon B. Johnson's wrist. This iconic timepiece continued to grace the wrists of influential figures, including Presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton. Notably, Marilyn Monroe's rumored gift of a Rolex Day-Date to John F. Kennedy in 1962 adds a touch of intrigue and glamour to its legacy.
This model reference number 18038, a significant stride in the Day-Date series, introduced innovations such as the sapphire crystal and a single quick-set date function, marking the end of the classical pie-pan dial era in 1978. Amidst this evolution, the rare brown burst dial emerges as a distinctive feature —a rare indulgence setting this vintage beauty apart. During this transformative period, the Day-Date solidified its reputation as a timepiece for world leaders and power brokers.
In the intricate world of timepieces, possessing the original box and papers transforms a vintage watch into a cherished piece of history. The Day-Date President is not just a watch; it's a living narrative, a chapter in the stories of leaders and luminaries.
A great collector's watch.
Maker: Rolex
Model: 18038 Day Date
Year: 1986
Material: 18K Yellow Gold, Brilliant cut and Baguette cut Diamonds
Dial: Extremely Rare Brown Vignette Dial
Movement: Automatic
Case Measurement: 36mm
Weight: 139 Grams
Condition: Very good, Beautiful UNPOLISHED condition
Includes: Original Rolex Box and Papers, Full Set!
Made in Switzerland
All of our pre-owned watches are guaranteed to be genuine and authentic. Stephanie Windsor also guarantees the proper functioning of this watch mechanism for ONE year from the date of purchase. Any damage due to accidents and/or wear and tear is excluded from this warranty. We do not recommend that vintage / pre-owned watches be submerged in water as we do not guarantee any waterproofing.
Stephanie Windsor is an independent watch dealer and is not authorized, endorsed, sponsored, associated with and/or affiliated with the original watchmaker brand. Stephanie Windsor only sells pre-owned, vintage and refurbished watches that are subject to one or more of the following: repair and replacement of damaged or worn parts, replacement of the original watch crystal with aftermarket crystals. The original maker of the watch is not under any obligation to service watches sold by Stephanie Windsor.
