1981 Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 'Pinball' dial in 18K Yellow Gold

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower was spotted wearing one Rolex in particular, a Day-Date, everything changed for this model. Ford, Kennedy, Reagan, Nixon, Roosevelt, Johnson… These are just some of the wearers of the Rolex Day-Date in gold. A watch that represents success, hard work, status, character, power and respect has been chosen by many personalities as their daily beater, and there’s no wonder why.

 

The Rolex Day-Date reference 18038 is a significant model in Rolex's history, introduced in the late 1970s. It is part of the Day-Date family, which was first launched in 1956, and is notable for being a part of the "mid-size" generation of Day-Date watches, typically produced during the 1970s and 1980s.

 

The 18038 was produced during the late 1970s and early 1980s, marking the transition from acrylic to sapphire crystals in the Rolex lineup. The model was eventually replaced by the reference 18039 in the mid-1980s.

 

It came in very different dial variations and colors, some being rarer than others. Some were even fitted on off-catalogue dials upon the buyers’ request. Hence, the Day-Date, including this neo-vintage version, are extremely collectible watches.

 

One of these rare variants is the ‘Pinball’ dial. It is composed of flat, rounded and applied solid yellow gold hour markers everywhere except the 6:00 and 9:00 positions, where there are rectangular indices instead. This combination gives the looks of a pinball machine where you can imagine the 9:00 hour marker throwing a ball around the dial, bumping into the circular indices. These markers differ from the more common ‘stick’ or ‘baton’ indices, and it makes it one of the rarest dials to be fitted on an on-catalogue Day-Date.

Offered here for sale is a Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 with ‘Pinball’ dial in 18K yellow gold which dates to 1981.

 

The sunburst champagne ‘Pinball’ dial is extraordinarily flawless, showing no wear at all, and featuring gorgeous lume plots that have aged to a creamy patina hue matching with that on the original golden hands.

 

The case is presented in great condition too, showing little wear and remaining sharp and thick. The yellow gold bezel and the case back remain in the same condition. All gold hallmarks remain clearly visible. It has developed a subtle rosy patina.

 

The original sapphire crystal is clean.

 

It comes suited on its original Rolex President 18K yellow gold bracelet with deployant clasp that remains in very good condition, with only minimal wear and very little stretch. It will fit up to a 16cm wrist.

 

The watch is running great and keeping time, as it has been fully serviced recently.

 

Macros of dial and case are available under request, as well as movement, inner case back and service pictures.