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Reference:118238: Difference between revisions

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Audit 118238 chronology, movement claims, auction framing and image placement
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==Core facts==
==Core facts==
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==Where it sits in the line==
==Where it sits in the line==
The 118238 is the yellow-gold fluted member of the six-digit Day-Date generation. The 18238 carried the 36 mm Day-Date through the 1990s with the same caliber family. The 118238 has broader polished lugs, solid centre links, and a concealed Crownclasp.


The 118238 is the yellow-gold fluted member of the six-digit Day-Date generation. The 18238 carried the 36 mm Day-Date through the 1990s with the same caliber family. The 118238 adds broader polished lugs, solid centre links, and a concealed Crownclasp.
The 118238 uses caliber 3155, as did late 18238 examples, with double quickset for the day and date. The caliber number alone therefore does not separate the two references; bracelet and case details are more useful when identifying an individual watch.
 
Caliber-wise the 118238 sits on the cal 3155, same number as the late-run 18238, with double quickset indexing day and date independently from the crown. Some sources read the caliber number as the dividing line between 18238 and 118238 production. In practice the 18238's late-run cal 3155 already carried double quickset, so the bracelet and case dimensions are the cleaner visual diagnostic between the two references.


The 118 generation covers the full Day-Date metal range:
The 118 generation covers the full Day-Date metal range:
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* 118139: 18k white gold, fluted bezel, leather strap; catalogued from 2013.
* 118139: 18k white gold, fluted bezel, leather strap; catalogued from 2013.


The current catalogues checked for this audit do not list 118288 or 118289. Those numbers are often confused with the 18288 and 18289 Tridor-era references; an individual listing needs its case and papers checked.
The cited catalogues do not list 118288 or 118289. Those numbers are often confused with the 18288 and 18289 Tridor-era references; an individual listing needs its case and papers checked.


The platinum 36 mm Day-Date in this generation is the 118206, with a smooth domed bezel. The 118208 is the yellow-gold smooth-bezel reference; listings that mix the two should be checked against the case and dial.
The platinum 36 mm Day-Date in this generation is the 118206, with a smooth domed bezel. The 118208 is the yellow-gold smooth-bezel reference; listings that mix the two should be checked against the case and dial.
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==Production outline==
==Production outline==
===2000 — Basel launch===
===2000 — Basel launch===
The 118 generation appeared around 2000. The 118238, 118239, and 118206 cover yellow gold, white gold, and platinum; the Everose 118235 followed later. Compared with the 18238, the documented case and bracelet changes include broader lugs, polished flanks, and solid centre links.
The 118 generation appeared around 2000. The 118238, 118239, and 118206 cover yellow gold, white gold, and platinum; the Everose 118235 followed later. Compared with the 18238, the documented case and bracelet changes include broader lugs, polished flanks, and solid centre links.


===2005 — Parachrom Blu hairspring rollout===
===2005 — Parachrom Blu hairspring rollout===
 
Rolex introduced the blue Parachrom hairspring across the catalogue from about 2005. Later 118238 examples can carry it, but the cited sources do not establish a transition serial for this reference.
Rolex introduced the blue Parachrom hairspring across the catalogue from about 2005. Later 118238 examples can carry it, but the transition serial for this reference is not established in the sources used here.


===2006-2007 — engraved rehaut===
===2006-2007 — engraved rehaut===
The engraved rehaut appears on 118238 production around 2006–07. Sources differ on the exact introduction date; by the later 2000s it is common. Earlier watches place the serial between the lugs, while later watches show it on the inner ring.
The engraved rehaut appears on 118238 production around 2006–07. Sources differ on the exact introduction date; by the later 2000s it is common. Earlier watches place the serial between the lugs, while later watches show it on the inner ring.


===2010 — random scrambled serial rollover===
===2010 — random scrambled serial rollover===
Rolex moved from letter-prefix serials to random alphanumeric serials around 2010. The 118238 spans that change, so the serial format helps date an example but does not replace caseback, rehaut, and paperwork checks.
Rolex moved from letter-prefix serials to random alphanumeric serials around 2010. The 118238 spans that change, so the serial format helps date an example but does not replace caseback, rehaut, and paperwork checks.


===2013 — leather-strap subset===
===2013 — leather-strap subset===
 
The 2013 range added 118138, 118135, and 118139 Day-Date 36 references on leather straps with deployant clasps. Catalogues show several strap and dial combinations; the cited catalogues do not establish how common the subset was.
The 2013 range added 118138, 118135, and 118139 Day-Date 36 references on leather straps with deployant clasps. Catalogues show several strap and dial combinations; the sources used here do not establish a rarity ranking for the subset.


===2019 — discontinuation===
===2019 — discontinuation===
The 128238 replaced the 118238 around 2019 with caliber 3255, a longer stated power reserve, and the Superlative Chronometer specification. The exact final delivery date for an individual 118238 should be checked against its papers and serial evidence.
The 128238 replaced the 118238 around 2019 with caliber 3255, a longer stated power reserve, and the Superlative Chronometer specification. The exact final delivery date for an individual 118238 should be checked against its papers and serial evidence.


==Movement notes==
==Movement notes==
 
Caliber 3155 carried over from the late-run 18238 and provides double quickset.
Caliber 3155, same number as the late-run 18238 with double quickset.


Specifications:
Specifications:
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==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==
==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==
 
The 118238 keeps the 36mm three-piece Oyster case. Compared with the 18238, documented changes include broader fully polished lugs, whereas the 18238 has narrower lugs with brushed sides, and solid bracelet centre links that add weight.
36mm three-piece Oyster construction. The visible case-and-bracelet changes from the 18238 are subtle but consistent: broader fully-polished lugs (the 18238's lugs were narrower with brushed sides), more visual weight to the watch on wrist despite the same nominal dimensions, and solid bracelet centre links accounting for most of the additional gram weight.


Inner caseback stamped with the reference and quarter-year Roman-numeral lot codes. Outer caseback engraved with the Rolex crown.
Inner caseback stamped with the reference and quarter-year Roman-numeral lot codes. Outer caseback engraved with the Rolex crown.
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The fluted bezel is carved from solid 18k yellow gold. The 118239 carries white-gold fluted, 118235 Everose fluted, 118205 Everose smooth-domed paired with Oyster bracelet, and 118206 platinum smooth-domed.
The fluted bezel is carved from solid 18k yellow gold. The 118239 carries white-gold fluted, 118235 Everose fluted, 118205 Everose smooth-domed paired with Oyster bracelet, and 118206 platinum smooth-domed.


The crown is the Twinlock screw-down. Triplock does not arrive on the 36mm Day-Date until the 128238.
The documented 118238 uses a Twinlock screw-down crown; a replacement crown should be checked against the individual case and service record.


The crystal is sapphire, continuing from the 18038 generation. The 118238 generation is the first to wear the engraved rehaut, which arrives from approximately 2006 or 2007 and is universal by 2008. The ring reads "ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX" repeated around the inner edge plus the serial number, with pre-2010 production carrying letter-prefix serials and post-2010 production carrying random scrambled alphanumeric strings.
The crystal is sapphire, continuing from the 18038 generation. Day-Date examples with engraved rehauts appear from approximately 2006 or 2007 and are common in later production. The ring repeats “ROLEX” around the inner edge with the serial number at six o'clock; pre-2010 examples generally carry letter-prefix serials, while later examples use random alphanumeric strings.


==Bracelet, end-links, clasp==
==Bracelet, end-links, clasp==
President bracelet with solid centre links, the visible 18238-to-118238 bracelet upgrade. The President's three-piece semicircular construction continues from the 1803 generation; the centre link goes from hollow on the 18238 to solid on the 118238, and the bracelet weight increases proportionally. The clasp moves from the visible folding configuration of the late-1990s 18238 to the concealed Crownclasp, which hides the entire folding mechanism under the centre link. The Rolex coronet appears on the closed clasp cover.
President bracelet with solid centre links, the visible 18238-to-118238 bracelet upgrade. The President's three-piece semicircular construction continues from the 1803 generation; the centre link goes from hollow on the 18238 to solid on the 118238, and the bracelet weight increases proportionally. The clasp moves from the visible folding configuration of the late-1990s 18238 to the concealed Crownclasp, which hides the entire folding mechanism under the centre link. The Rolex coronet appears on the closed clasp cover.


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Documented dials include stick or Roman-numeral indices on champagne, silver, white, and black grounds, along with mother-of-pearl, diamond-set, and selected stone dials. The surviving catalogues do not establish a complete production sequence. Examples include:
Documented dials include stick or Roman-numeral indices on champagne, silver, white, and black grounds, along with mother-of-pearl, diamond-set, and selected stone dials. The surviving catalogues do not establish a complete production sequence. Examples include:


* Silver luminescent stick, production-volume modern dial.
* Silver luminescent stick, documented standard modern dial.
* White "anniversary" Roman, 50th-anniversary Day-Date-line dial introduced approximately 2006.
* White "anniversary" Roman, 50th-anniversary Day-Date-line dial introduced approximately 2006.
* Champagne stick and champagne Roman, both production-volume.
* Champagne stick and champagne Roman, both documented standard layouts.
* Mother-of-pearl, with and without diamond hour markers.
* Mother-of-pearl, with and without diamond hour markers.
* Decorated mother-of-pearl, with guilloché or floral patterns on the MOP ground.
* Decorated mother-of-pearl, with guilloché or floral patterns on the MOP ground.
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==Serial-year correlation==
==Serial-year correlation==
The 118238 production straddles Rolex's 2010 serial-system rollover. Pre-2010 letter-prefix serials follow the catalogue-wide chart:
The 118238 production straddles Rolex's 2010 serial-system rollover. Pre-2010 letter-prefix serials follow the catalogue-wide chart:


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== Auction record ==
==Auction record==
 
The lots below provide dial, bracelet and provenance details. Their prices belong to those individual watches and do not define a general market range.
The public auction record is smaller than the dealer listing record. The lots below are useful for dial, bracelet, and provenance details; their prices belong to those individual watches and do not define a general market range.


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==Special branches==
==Special branches==
===Tiffany & Co. double-signed===
===Tiffany & Co. double-signed===
 
Double-signed Tiffany examples are reported in the 118238 era, especially in late-2000s material. The signature should be checked against the dial, case, papers, and the documented retailer history; the article does not infer a general price multiple.
Double-signed Tiffany examples are reported in the 118238 era, especially in late-2000s material. The signature should be checked against the dial, case, papers, and the documented retailer history; no general price multiple is stated here.


===Diplomatic / royal-gift commissions===
===Diplomatic / royal-gift commissions===
Modern Day-Date 36s also appear in diplomatic and regional-market records, including Oman and Gulf-market commissions. Those inscriptions are provenance claims that require watch-specific documentation.
Modern Day-Date 36s also appear in diplomatic and regional-market records, including Oman and Gulf-market commissions. Those inscriptions are provenance claims that require watch-specific documentation.




== Related references ==
==Related references==
 
* [[Reference:118208|Day-Date 118208]]: 2000–2019
* [[Reference:118208|Day-Date 118208]]: 2000–2019
* [[Reference:218206|Day-Date 218206]]: 2008–2015
* [[Reference:218206|Day-Date 218206]]: 2008–2015
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
Ref 118238 hero.webp|118238 yellow-gold Day-Date 36
File:Ref 118238 hero.webp|118238 yellow-gold Day-Date 36
Ref 118238 champagne diamond dial.webp|Champagne dial with diamond markers
File:Ref 118238 champagne diamond dial.webp|Champagne dial with diamond markers
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
===Primary and specialist===
===Primary and specialist===
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
* [https://mondanibooks.com/rolex-day-date-history/ ''Rolex Day-Date Volume (Mondani Editore)'' — Mondani Family, Guido Mondani Editore]
* [https://mondanibooks.com/rolex-day-date-history/ ''Rolex Day-Date Volume (Mondani Editore)'' — Mondani Family, Guido Mondani Editore]
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===Editorial and market===
===Editorial and market===
* [https://italianwatchspotter.com/the-history-of-the-rolex-day-date/?lang=en Italian Watch Spotter editorial, "The History of the Rolex Day-Date", Italian Watch Spotter]
* [https://italianwatchspotter.com/the-history-of-the-rolex-day-date/?lang=en Italian Watch Spotter editorial, "The History of the Rolex Day-Date", Italian Watch Spotter]
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/quickset-vintage-day-date-models.html Bob's Watches editorial, "Quickset Vintage Day-Date Models", Bob's Watches]
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/quickset-vintage-day-date-models.html Bob's Watches editorial, "Quickset Vintage Day-Date Models", Bob's Watches]
* [https://watchbase.com/rolex/caliber/1556 Watchbase editorial, "Rolex Caliber 1556 — Watchbase", Watchbase]
* [https://watchbase.com/rolex/caliber/3155 Watchbase, "Rolex Caliber 3155 — Watchbase", Watchbase]
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/history-rolex-tiffany-dials Bob's Watches editorial, "History of Rolex Tiffany Dials", Bob's Watches]
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/history-rolex-tiffany-dials Bob's Watches editorial, "History of Rolex Tiffany Dials", Bob's Watches]
* [https://italianwatchspotter.com/watch-guide-rolex-stone-dials/?lang=en Italian Watch Spotter editorial, "Watch Guide: Rolex Stone Dials", Italian Watch Spotter]
* [https://italianwatchspotter.com/watch-guide-rolex-stone-dials/?lang=en Italian Watch Spotter editorial, "Watch Guide: Rolex Stone Dials", Italian Watch Spotter]
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