Reference:118208: Difference between revisions
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Deep audit: grounded successor, bracelet, movement and image coverage |
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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 118208 is the smooth-bezel member of the six-digit Day-Date 36 range. The [[Reference:118238|118238]] uses a fluted bezel, the [[Reference:118235|118235]] is Everose gold, and the 118209 is the white-gold smooth-bezel counterpart. The smooth-bezel line continues the 18028 and 18208 design. Current 36 mm caliber-3255 references list fluted and Everose cases; the cited catalogue record does not identify a direct yellow-gold smooth successor. | The 118208 is the smooth-bezel member of the six-digit Day-Date 36 range. The [[Reference:118238|118238]] uses a fluted bezel, the [[Reference:118235|118235]] is Everose gold, and the 118209 is the white-gold smooth-bezel counterpart. The smooth-bezel line continues the 18028 and 18208 design. Current 36 mm caliber-3255 references list fluted and Everose cases; the cited catalogue record does not identify a direct yellow-gold smooth successor. | ||
==Production outline== | ==Production outline== | ||
The 118208 appears in catalogues from around 2000 through about 2019. No production total is published. Examples vary by dial, bracelet, and service history; the case and caliber family remain the reference's baseline. | The 118208 appears in catalogues from around 2000 through about 2019. No production total is published. Examples vary by dial, bracelet, and service history; the case and caliber family remain the reference's baseline. | ||
==Movement notes== | ==Movement notes== | ||
The 118208 uses caliber 3155, the Day-Date movement with double quickset, 31 jewels, a 28,800 vph frequency, roughly 48 hours of reserve, and COSC certification in the documented specification. Later examples may carry a Parachrom hairspring; check the movement and service record rather than inferring it from the reference alone. The same caliber family appears in the 118238 and 118235. | The 118208 uses caliber 3155, the Day-Date movement with double quickset, 31 jewels, a 28,800 vph frequency, roughly 48 hours of reserve, and COSC certification in the documented specification. Later examples may carry a Parachrom hairspring; check the movement and service record rather than inferring it from the reference alone. The same caliber family appears in the 118238 and 118235. | ||
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==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown== | ==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown== | ||
The case is a 36 mm yellow-gold Oyster with sapphire crystal, Cyclops lens, Twinlock crown, and screw-down caseback. The bezel is smooth and gently domed, unlike the fluted 118238. Rehaut and engraving details vary with production period and should be checked on the watch. | The case is a 36 mm yellow-gold Oyster with sapphire crystal, Cyclops lens, Twinlock crown, and screw-down caseback. The bezel is smooth and gently domed, unlike the fluted 118238. Rehaut and engraving details vary with production period and should be checked on the watch. | ||
==Bracelets, end links, and clasps== | ==Bracelets, end links, and clasps== | ||
Catalogued examples include the three-piece flat-link Oyster bracelet with folding clasp. The President bracelet 8385 appears in catalogue material as an option, while the auction examples cited on this page are on Oyster. A clasp date code dates the bracelet, not the watch head; see [[Reference:Bracelets]] for the cross-family method. | Catalogued examples include the three-piece flat-link Oyster bracelet with folding clasp. The President bracelet 8385 appears in catalogue material as an option, while the auction examples cited on this page are on Oyster. A clasp date code dates the bracelet, not the watch head; see [[Reference:Bracelets]] for the cross-family method. | ||
<span id="market"></span><span id="Market"></span> | <span id="market"></span><span id="Market"></span> | ||
== Auction record == | ==Auction record== | ||
The table records named auction examples. Results reflect the individual dial, bracelet, condition, and provenance; they do not establish a general market band for the reference. | The table records named auction examples. Results reflect the individual dial, bracelet, condition, and provenance; they do not establish a general market band for the reference. | ||
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== Related references == | ==Related references== | ||
* [[Reference:118238|Day-Date 118238]]: 2000–2019 | * [[Reference:118238|Day-Date 118238]]: 2000–2019 | ||
* [[Reference:218206|Day-Date 218206]]: 2008–2015 | * [[Reference:218206|Day-Date 218206]]: 2008–2015 | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra | * ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra | ||
* [https://www.christies.com/en/auction/important-watches-24775/ Christie's, "Rolex Ref. 118208 Day-Date 36, 18k yellow gold smooth bezel with coral stone dial — Christie's Hong Kong, Important Watches, sale 3369, lot 2732", Christie's, 26 November 2014] | * [https://www.christies.com/en/auction/important-watches-24775/ Christie's, "Rolex Ref. 118208 Day-Date 36, 18k yellow gold smooth bezel with coral stone dial — Christie's Hong Kong, Important Watches, sale 3369, lot 2732", Christie's, 26 November 2014] | ||
Latest revision as of 08:30, 29 September 2026
Day-Date › 118208
The 118208 is the smooth-bezel Day-Date 36 of the six-digit era. It follows the five-digit smooth 18208 and uses caliber 3155 in a 36 mm yellow-gold Oyster case. Catalogued examples appear on Oyster and President bracelets. The fluted 118238 is the closest sibling, with the bezel as the visible difference.
Core facts
| detail | value |
|---|---|
| reference | 118208 |
| family | Day-Date (Day-Date 36, 6-digit) |
| production | 2000–about 2019 |
| movement | caliber 3155, 31 jewels, 28,800 vph, ~48h, double quickset, Parachrom hairspring, COSC |
| case | 36mm 18k yellow gold |
| crystal | sapphire |
| bezel | smooth (plain domed) |
| bracelet | Oyster three-piece flat-link with folding clasp is the documented norm; President 8385 catalogued but absent from the auction record |
| dial | champagne and silver stick, Roman, mother-of-pearl, meteorite, hardstone (coral, bloodstone, garnet), diamond-set |
| crown | Twinlock screw-down |
| siblings | 118238 (fluted), 118235 (Everose), 118239 (white-gold fluted), 118209 (white-gold smooth), 118206 (platinum smooth, ice-blue) |
| predecessor | 18208 (5-digit smooth) |
| successor | no direct yellow-gold smooth-bezel reference is documented in the current 36 mm caliber-3255 range |
Where it sits in the line
The 118208 is the smooth-bezel member of the six-digit Day-Date 36 range. The 118238 uses a fluted bezel, the 118235 is Everose gold, and the 118209 is the white-gold smooth-bezel counterpart. The smooth-bezel line continues the 18028 and 18208 design. Current 36 mm caliber-3255 references list fluted and Everose cases; the cited catalogue record does not identify a direct yellow-gold smooth successor.
Production outline
The 118208 appears in catalogues from around 2000 through about 2019. No production total is published. Examples vary by dial, bracelet, and service history; the case and caliber family remain the reference's baseline.
Movement notes
The 118208 uses caliber 3155, the Day-Date movement with double quickset, 31 jewels, a 28,800 vph frequency, roughly 48 hours of reserve, and COSC certification in the documented specification. Later examples may carry a Parachrom hairspring; check the movement and service record rather than inferring it from the reference alone. The same caliber family appears in the 118238 and 118235.
Dial map
The documented dial range includes champagne and silvered stick layouts, Roman numerals, mother-of-pearl, meteorite, diamond-set dials, and hardstone examples such as coral, bloodstone, and grossular garnet. Catalogues show the materials and settings on individual watches; they do not establish a complete production sequence. The broader Day-Date dial taxonomy is on the 1803 entry.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown
The case is a 36 mm yellow-gold Oyster with sapphire crystal, Cyclops lens, Twinlock crown, and screw-down caseback. The bezel is smooth and gently domed, unlike the fluted 118238. Rehaut and engraving details vary with production period and should be checked on the watch.
Bracelets, end links, and clasps
Catalogued examples include the three-piece flat-link Oyster bracelet with folding clasp. The President bracelet 8385 appears in catalogue material as an option, while the auction examples cited on this page are on Oyster. A clasp date code dates the bracelet, not the watch head; see Reference:Bracelets for the cross-family method.
Auction record
The table records named auction examples. Results reflect the individual dial, bracelet, condition, and provenance; they do not establish a general market band for the reference.
| date | house | configuration | result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Christie's Hong Kong, lot 2732 | coral stone dial | HKD 525,000 |
| 2018 | Christie's Hong Kong | green bloodstone diamond-set dial | HKD 225,000 |
| 2024 | Sotheby's New York, lot 131 | grossular-garnet diamond-set dial | not sold (est. USD 25,000–50,000) |
| 2021 | Sotheby's | silvered dial | USD 10,710 |
Related references
- Day-Date 118238: 2000–2019
- Day-Date 218206: 2008–2015
- Day-Date 218238: 2008–2015
- Day-Date 118235: 2005–2019
- Day-Date 118138: 2013–2019
- Day-Date 18208: 1988–2000
See also the Day-Date family index, movement reference, bracelet & clasp guide, and serial numbers by year.
-
118208 yellow-gold smooth-bezel Day-Date 36. -
118208 with grossular-garnet dial.
Sources
- The Vintage Rolex Field Manual — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
- Christie's, "Rolex Ref. 118208 Day-Date 36, 18k yellow gold smooth bezel with coral stone dial — Christie's Hong Kong, Important Watches, sale 3369, lot 2732", Christie's, 26 November 2014
- Christie's, "Rolex Ref. 118208 Day-Date 36, 18k yellow gold with green bloodstone and diamond-set dial — Christie's Hong Kong, Important Watches and Private Collections, sale 16128, lot 2272", Christie's, 28 May 2018
- Sotheby's, "Reference 118208 Day-Date, 18k yellow gold with grossular-garnet diamond-set dial — Sotheby's Important Watches, lot 131", Sotheby's, 2024
- Sotheby's, "Rolex Ref. 118208 Day-Date 36, 18k yellow gold with silvered dial — Sotheby's", Sotheby's, 2021
- WatchBase, "Rolex caliber 3155 (registry page)", WatchBase
- SwissWatchExpo editorial, "Generations of the Rolex President Day-Date", SwissWatchExpo, 2024
- Monochrome editorial, "In-Depth: The History of the Rolex Day-Date, The Presidential Watch", Monochrome Watches
- Italian Watch Spotter editorial, "The History of the Rolex Day-Date", Italian Watch Spotter
- Sotheby's editorial, "The Rolex Day-Date: A Complete Collector's Guide", Sotheby's
- Fratello editorial, "Exploring Evergreens: The Rolex Day-Date 18238", Fratello Watches
- JazTime, "Rolex Day-Date 36 yellow gold, champagne index dial, smooth domed bezel, Oyster bracelet, 118208", JazTime