Rolex Day-Date 18168 'Baguette'

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This Day-Date has so many baguettes you might as well call us Amsterdam Vintage Bakery.We’ll stick with our current name for now, but we’re sure this baby will sell like hot cakes. After all, how often do you run into a Day-Date with a factory-set baguette-cut bezel and dial? Very rarely, that is. In fact, this configuration is so uncommon that Rolex gave it its own reference. The ref. 18168, a sub-reference of the 180xx series, was reserved for watches with baguette-set bezels.This beauty dates back to 1985 and comes in the classic Day-Date packaging: a 36 mm 18k yellow gold case with the iconic 18k yellow gold President. The bezel features 24 exquisite factory-set baguette-cut diamonds, while the champagne color dial sports baguettes on the hour positions.The watch houses Rolex’ caliber 3055 self-winding movement with a single quickset function, allowing for the independent adjustment of the date mechanism. The watch is in excellent condition, with a sharp case and tight President bracelet with a concealed clasp.

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 the 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)

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.