Reference:18238: Difference between revisions
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The 18238 ran for roughly twelve years. Early examples carry tritium, marked "T SWISS MADE T" at the foot of the dial; later examples use non-tritium luminous material, with transitional wording reported in the late 1990s. The case and caliber define the reference, but dial, bracelet, and service parts still need to be checked on an individual watch. | The 18238 ran for roughly twelve years. Early examples carry tritium, marked "T SWISS MADE T" at the foot of the dial; later examples use non-tritium luminous material, with transitional wording reported in the late 1990s. The case and caliber define the reference, but dial, bracelet, and service parts still need to be checked on an individual watch. | ||
Serial | Serial dating follows the period's Rolex letter-prefix series. The reference overlaps the start of the six-digit era before giving way to the 118238. | ||
==Movement notes== | ==Movement notes== | ||
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | ||
File:Ref 18238 detail.webp|alt=Rolex 18238 with a stone dial and diamond hour markers|A stone-dial 18238 with diamond hour markers, one of the special-order dials offered across the President range. | File:Ref 18238 detail.webp|alt=Rolex 18238 with a stone dial and diamond hour markers|A stone-dial 18238 with diamond hour markers, one of the special-order dials offered across the President range. | ||
File:Ref 18238 champagne-dial-portrait.webp|alt=Rolex 18238 with the standard champagne dial, fluted bezel, and sapphire crystal|A standard champagne-dial 18238 with applied gold markers, fluted bezel | File:Ref 18238 champagne-dial-portrait.webp|alt=Rolex 18238 with the standard champagne dial, fluted bezel, and sapphire crystal|A standard champagne-dial 18238 with applied gold markers, fluted bezel and sapphire crystal. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Wood dials are a documented branch of the 18238 range. Rolex used wood dials on gold Presidents before this reference, and the five-digit examples continued into the 1990s. Hodinkee's guide illustrates a walnut 18238 dated circa 1996 and describes the later dials as lacquered before printing. That finish distinguishes them from the earlier straight-grain dials described in the same guide. | Wood dials are a documented branch of the 18238 range. Rolex used wood dials on gold Presidents before this reference, and the five-digit examples continued into the 1990s. Hodinkee's guide illustrates a walnut 18238 dated circa 1996 and describes the later dials as lacquered before printing. That finish distinguishes them from the earlier straight-grain dials described in the same guide. | ||
Published references name birch, African mahogany | Published references name birch, African mahogany and walnut for the five-digit generation. Collector material also reports madrona or madrone, but that attribution rests on period advertising and secondary research. A wood species or grain pattern is therefore a lead, not proof of original delivery. Replacement wood dials can appear in later cases, so papers and service records matter. | ||
Wood is vulnerable to moisture, lifting, and cracking, so gasket and service history matter. A dial can be replaced, and the dial alone does not establish original delivery; use papers or service records where available. | Wood is vulnerable to moisture, lifting, and cracking, so gasket and service history matter. A dial can be replaced, and the dial alone does not establish original delivery; use papers or service records where available. | ||
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==Auction record== | ==Auction record== | ||
Auction and dealer results for the 18238 vary with gold condition, dial originality, bracelet stretch, and the presence of box and papers. Standard champagne and silver dials are easier to compare than wood, stone, diamond, or other special-order configurations. | Auction and dealer results for the 18238 vary with gold condition, dial originality, bracelet stretch, and the presence of box and papers. Standard champagne and silver dials are easier to compare than wood, stone, diamond, or other special-order configurations. No single price range represents the reference: gold condition, dial, bracelet and paperwork vary between individual watches. | ||
==Related references== | |||
* [[Reference:18208|Day-Date 18208]], 1988–2000 | * [[Reference:18208|Day-Date 18208]], 1988–2000 | ||
* [[Reference:18248|Day-Date 18248]], 1988–2000 | * [[Reference:18248|Day-Date 18248]], 1988–2000 | ||
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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.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2026/important-watches/reference-18238-day-date-a-yellow-gold-automatic Sotheby's, "Reference 18238 Day-Date", 2026 lot record] | * [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2026/important-watches/reference-18238-day-date-a-yellow-gold-automatic Sotheby's, "Reference 18238 Day-Date", 2026 lot record] | ||