Rolex Day-Date 18018 'Blue Diamond'

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The pyramids are not only found in Giza but also right here at Amsterdam Vintage Watches.

The iconic 36 mm yellow-gold Oyster case is adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds in various sizes on the lugs and features a rarely seen 'Pyramid' bezel. A yellow-gold Day-Date with diamond lugs is a statement piece by itself. Yet, combined with a stunning blue 'Sunburst' dial set with brilliant-cut diamonds on the hour markers and baguette-cut diamonds at the 6 and 9 o'clock gives for an even bigger wow-effect.

This 18018 dates back to 1988 and is carried by the no-nonsense 18k yellow gold 'President' bracelet. She houses Rolex’ caliber 3055 self-winding movement with a convenient quickset function, allowing for the independent adjustment of the date mechanism. The watch is in excellent condition and isn't only much rarer than its 'simpler' brother, the 18038, it also offers the perfect balance between a distinguished timepiece and a flashy Rolex.

Introduction

Rolex Day-DateIn 1956, Rolex introduced one the most iconic watches ever made: the Day-Date. The Day-Date was the first waterproof self-winding chronometer certified wristwatch with a day and date function. And to top it off, it was only available in gold or platinum! Rolex also designed a new three-link bracelet, known as the ‘President,’ to pair with this special watch. With exception of the most modern executions, the Day-Date comes exclusively in a 36mm case.Reference 18xxxThe arrival of the 18xxx series Day-Dates in 1978 ushered in the first signs of the ‘modern’ watchmaking era for Rolex. These Day-Dates were the first regular production Rolex watches to receive a sturdy and scratch resistant sapphire crystal. To accommodate the new crystal, the iconic Oyster case had to be increased in thickness as well, giving the Day-Date a more modern look.Other significant developments were the change from the beloved pie-pan dials to the new flat dials and the unveiling of a brand new movement. The caliber 3055 introduced a single quickset function, which meant that the date could finally be adjusted separately from the time and date.Like its predecessors, the 18xxx Day-Dates were available with different bezel and case decorations. The most common references are:

  • Ref. 18026: Domed bezel (platinum)
  • Ref. 18028: Domed bezel
  • Ref. 18038: Fluted bezel
  • Ref. 18039: Fluted bezel (white gold)
  • Ref. 18046: Diamond-set bezel and index (platinum)
  • Ref. 18048: Diamond-set bezel and index
  • Ref. 18049: Diamond-set bezel and index (white gold)
  • Ref. 18078: Bark-finished bezel in yellow gold (usually paired with President bracelet with bark-finished centerlinks)
  • Ref. 18079: Bark-finished bezel in white gold (usually paired with President bracelet with bark-finished centerlinks)

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.