A legendary timepiece with an unrivaled history, the Rolex Day-Date has earned its place as "The Ultimate Watch of Prestige" from its decades on the wrists of the world's most influential people. Released in 1956, the Day-Date quickly became synonymous with luxury, prestige, and exclusivity thanks to being the watch of choice for the world's athletes, visionaries, and world leaders alike. Only ever constructed of precious metals, the Day-Date's aesthetic is that of sheer elegance and grace. Aside from the beautiful array of dial options that have been available over the decades, the Day-Date's most iconic piece of design is its three-piece "Presidential" or "President" bracelet. Forming the bedrock of its design, the Presidential bracelet has become synonymous with Rolex's flagship collection and their desire to create the very best and most iconic watches that the world has ever seen. With its timeless design and inescapable impact on horology, the Day-Date stands as a vivid reminder of just how successful they have been in realizing that very mission.

The watch is in overall very good condition. The yellow gold case has some scratches and small nicks on the lug edges, but remains well defined, with hallmarks still clearly visible. The case back shows light scratches, and the fluted bezel is still reasonably crisp. The wood dial is in excellent condition, with only a small hairline crack in the varnish near the coronet. The hands are clean, with minor discoloration in the lume of the minute hand. The President bracelet has some surface scratches and moderate play between the links. The bracelet has 21 links, 2 of which are removable, and fits an approximately 6 3/4” wrist.

We love this 18038 for its vintage looks and also appreciate its refinements over its predecessor, the 1803. With a similarly classic aesthetic but updates like its sapphire crystal and single-quickset movement, it is definitely much more pleasant to wear and enjoy.