Brand: Rolex
Model: Day-Date
reference: 18238
Year: 1989
Serial number: L508XXX
Material: stainless steel
Bracelet: stainless steel
Diameter: 40 Millimeter
condition: very good
box&papers: yes, full set
Description: Beautiful Day-Date with super rare Howlite or marble dial.
Day-Dates with stone dials are something magical and every time i am able to offer one of these watches, my heart jumps in excitement. These watches have a charisma that has to be experienced. Due to the individuality of the stone, each of these watches is unique and due to the fine lines, structures and the asymmetry of these stone features, these watches create a liveliness that no normal dial can create.
The case of this watch is simply perfect. Absolutely unpolished, with perfect proportions, wonderful sharp edges and an equally perfect matte finish leave absolutely nothing to be desired.
This watch has seen little wear over the last thirty years and therefore shows a slight discoloration of the gold. This discoloration is caused by the copper content in the alloy and causes the watch to have a red-gold color. Wonderful to look at and another testimony to the quality of this watch.
Oh and the caseback also testifies to the quality of this beauty. The green caseback sticker is wonderfully intact with clearly legible reference number 18238.
The Howlite stone dial is the already mentioned highlight of this watch. Howlite is a mineral from the borate family. Rolex used it to make stone dials because it is identical in color and structure to white Carrara marble, but is much easier to process. Due to their identical appearance, Howlite dials are also often offered as marble dials.
The problem with stone dials is the manufacturing process. Many of these dials suffered tears and other damage when the indexes were set and therefore up to 10 stone cuts were necessary to be able to install a dial. It is therefore always important to carefully check whether the dial has any tears or other damage.
This dial is absolutely perfect. It shows no damage, no scratches, hairline cracks, or anything else. 100% perfectly cut stone. Furthermore, the dark vein structure is wonderfully present and creates the before mentioned magic of these dials.
The tritium hands are identical to the dial in perfect condition.
Just as the watch, the bezel is unpolished and has a patina that matches the case.
This cool Day-Date comes with original papers and fresh service papers from Rolex Geneva.
It has originally been sold at Mappin & Webb Ltd. in England (LC 160). The scope of delivery also includes the Oyster booklet and the original box with outer box (not in the picture). Additionally, the watch received a full factory service from Rolex Geneva in September this year. This was commissioned by us and Rolex Geneva only revised the movement and replaced the glas. The case and bracelet have not been touched!
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Conclusion: A magical Howlite Day-Date. Dial, condition, scope of delivery, this quality is no longer often available on the open market these days.
