Day-Date 18038

In Context

At 36 mm it is classically proportioned: the size a dress watch was understood to be for most of the twentieth century, and small enough to sit under a cuff. The case back is closed, so the movement stays out of sight, and the sapphire crystal will resist everything short of deliberate abuse. 100 m is genuine swimming resistance — more than the shape of this watch suggests it would need.

The movement winds itself from the motion of your wrist. At 28,800 vph the seconds hand advances 8 times a second.

18038 Black Roman Stone is one of 6 executions of the 18038 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a black dial and a yellow gold case. Beyond the time it carries a day-date.

Fifth generation Rolex Day-Date movement. Introduced around 1978. Beat increased to 28800 bph.

8 other watches in the library run the Rolex 3055.

Rolex

Day-Date 18026

18026 · 36 mm

Rolex

Day-Date 18038

18038 Black Diamond · 36 mm

Rolex

Day-Date 18038

18038 Burr Wood · 36 mm

Rolex

Day-Date 18039

18039 Stella Red · 36 mm