Rolex Day-Date 18238

The Watch of Presidents

Since its debut in 1956, the Day-Date has been the choice of visionaries, heads of state, and titans of industry. The reference 18238 represents a pivotal era in the model’s history, maintaining the traditional 36mm proportions that offer a balanced, timeless aesthetic on the wrist while housing significant mechanical advancements.

The Double Quickset Innovation

The defining technical characteristic of the 18238 is the Calibre 3155 movement. This self-winding mechanical movement introduced the Double Quickset feature, a massive leap in user convenience. By simply turning the winding crown in different directions at the second position, the wearer can rapidly set both the numerical date at 3 o’clock and the day of the week, spelled out in full at 12 o’clock. This functionality ensures that the watch is always ready for the day ahead without the need for manual cycling of the hour hands.

Mastery of Precious Metals

Rolex operates its own foundry, allowing the brand to create 18k gold alloys of unsurpassed quality and luster. The 18238 is constructed entirely from this proprietary yellow gold, from the fluted bezel, which reflects light with every movement of the wrist, to the solid gold case and bracelet. The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal featuring the classic Cyclops magnification lens, ensuring the date is legible at a glance.

The President Bracelet

The reference 18238 is almost exclusively paired with the President bracelet. Created specifically for the launch of the Day-Date, this bracelet is characterized by its semi-circular links and the Crownclasp, a concealed folding fastener that allows the gold pattern to continue seamlessly around the wrist. This integration of jewelry-like elegance with robust engineering makes it one of the most comfortable and recognizable bracelets in the world of luxury watches.

Mechanical Integrity

The Calibre 3155 is a COSC-certified chronometer, built to provide decades of reliable service. It features a Parachrom hairspring and a large balance wheel with variable inertia, ensuring high resistance to shocks and temperature variations. Despite its status as a dress watch, the Oyster case of the 18238 provides 100 meters of water resistance, protected by the Twinlock screw-down crown system.

Technical Specifications