The reference 18239 represents the Day-Date at a moment of quiet transition. By the mid-1990s, Rolex had refined the model into near perfection: the sharp 36 mm case, the concealed-clasp President bracelet, and the caliber 3155 with its practical double quickset mechanism. Everything about it feels resolved; precise, confident, and free of excess.

This particular example, produced in 1996, is executed entirely in 18-karat white gold and remains in excellent condition. The case retains its original geometry with strong lugs and crisp flanks, while the bracelet shows only light, even wear and keeps a firm, consistent tension across all links.

The dial sets this watch apart. A rich metallic salmon tone that shifts between rose and champagne under the light, it’s one of the most distinctive configurations Rolex ever offered on the Day-Date. The surface is smooth, without lume, and fitted with applied white-gold Roman numerals and a matching closed handset. The so-called “clockmaker’s four” at IV adds visual balance; a quiet nod to tradition that has defined Rolex design for decades.

Powering the watch is the automatic caliber 3155, developed and built entirely in-house, with separate adjustment for day and date via the twin quickset system. The movement remains one of Rolex’s most enduring calibers for good reason: robust, accurate, and designed for a lifetime of use. This example features English day and date discs, neatly complementing the restrained elegance of the dial.

In a category often defined by opulence, this 18239 proves that refinement can be the strongest statement of all.