This exceptional Day-Date featuring a rare howlite stone dial is something you don't want to miss out on.

Offered by Phillips at the Geneva Watch Auction: Nine in May 2019, this remarkable reference 18208 was highlighted for its uncommon and highly attractive stone dial. Interestingly, the Phillips lot essay described the dial as marble—a common misconception, as Rolex has never produced marble dials. The dial is in fact crafted from howlite, a borate mineral prized for its distinctive white appearance accented by elegant gray, black, and brown veining that closely resembles marble.

The watch is housed in a classic 36 mm Oyster case crafted from 18k yellow gold and fitted with a matching 18k yellow-gold domed bezel. Complementing the case is an 18k yellow-gold riveted Oyster bracelet, lending the watch a subtly sportier character than the traditional Day-Date configuration. The striking howlite dial is enhanced by applied 18k yellow-gold Roman numerals and a matching closed handset, creating a refined and highly distinctive aesthetic.

Dating to 1998, this Day-Date is powered by Rolex's caliber 3155 automatic movement, featuring the practical double quickset function that allows the day and date displays to be adjusted independently.

The watch remains in exceptional condition, retaining a tight bracelet and a perfect case. Remarkably, the original green Rolex caseback sticker is still present; an increasingly rare detail for a watch of this age. Accompanying the watch are its original box, punched warranty papers, Rolex hang tag, and the original Phillips auction tag, making this a particularly complete example.