ROLEX DAY-DATE

Maker: Rolex
Model: Day-Date
Reference: 18238
Year: 1995
Serial: W-Serial
Material: Yellow Gold (Seems Unpolished)
Dial: Black Dial matured with some brown touch, Tritium Hands & Tritium Dial
Dimensions: 36mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Clasp: Ref. 8385 18k President Bracelet
Box & Papers: Box

There’s a subtle poetry in how time matures gold. Not with tarnish, but with character. In the case of this 1995 Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18238, time has done more than pass—it has whispered stories into its yellow gold curves and burnished dial. This isn’t just a watch. It’s a quietly powerful statement from an era that understood discretion could still speak volumes.

W-Serial numbered, this Day-Date hails from the heart of the '90s—a decade straddling excess and elegance, ambition and restraint. Worn by visionaries and rule-breakers alike, the 36mm yellow gold Day-Date was the preferred wrist companion for those who didn’t need to shout to be heard. Think Warren Buffett in his Omaha office, calmly outplaying Wall Street. Or Tony Soprano, a fictional titan of contradiction, wearing his Day-Date like a crown forged in silence. Even the sharply tailored wrists of U.S. presidents—Ronald Reagan, Lyndon B. Johnson, and the modern-day statesman-in-style Barack Obama—have been graced by the Day-Date’s stately presence.

But this isn’t just any Day-Date. The dial, originally black, has kissed the edge of time, now maturing into a chocolate-toned spectrum that collectors call tropical—a transformation Rolex never intended, yet one the vintage world reveres. The tritium hands and hour markers remain, aging gracefully into a soft cream, glowing only in spirit now. It’s this kind of organic evolution that makes vintage Rolex not just wearable, but intimate.

Under its sapphire crystal, time is told not with urgency, but with gravity. The double aperture at 12 o’clock—a Rolex hallmark—quietly displays both day and date, a reminder of the brand’s pursuit of functionality wrapped in form. The matching 18k yellow gold President bracelet, clasp reference 8385, remains supremely comfortable, with links that have mellowed into a silk-like drape over the wrist. That the gold appears unpolished only adds to its dignity—no vanity here, just legacy.

The Day-Date 18238 has always been the choice of those who understood presence without pretension. It’s a watch that doesn’t scream for attention, but earns respect in the room, just like its wearers. Not simply a Rolex—it’s the Rolex. A companion not for the moment, but for the life you build in between the hours.

Box included. Papers lost to time. But then again, the stories that matter most were never written down anyway.

Morning: The Creative Commute

Outfit: Tailored wool overshirt, white linen popover, tapered corduroys, and suede Chelsea boots.

You step out into the cool morning light—coffee in hand, mind already whirring with ideas. The city hums. You’re not bound for a boardroom, but for the studio, the co-working loft, or maybe just your favorite corner café. Here, relaxed tailoring meets tactile textures. Earth tones, soft neutrals. It’s effortless, but considered. The Day-Date, with its gently aged dial and mellow gleam, blends seamlessly into this palette. Worn under the cuff of a loosely structured overshirt, it adds a quiet elegance to your casual refinement. Not a flex—just a signature.

Style Tip: Pair the warmth of the yellow gold with deeper tones like moss green or rust brown to echo the dial’s softened hues. Let the bracelet peek out, subtly.

Afternoon: The Art of the Meeting

Outfit: Charcoal flannel suit, midnight knit tie, oxford shirt, black tassel loafers.

In the midday sun, you're a man of clarity. Your voice has weight, your decisions, direction. This is your time to lead—whether over a business lunch or across the table at a private gallery viewing. The charcoal suit is a nod to formality, but the knit tie and soft shoulders relax the tone. And then, on your wrist, the Day-Date: sophisticated, self-assured, without a trace of pretension. The matured tritium and sapphire crystal glint just enough in the light to catch a discerning eye.

Style Tip: The black dial grounds the yellow gold, making it suitable for even conservative tailoring. Keep other accessories minimal—let the Day-Date be the punctuation.

Evening: The Spontaneous Soirée

Outfit: Black cashmere turtleneck, midnight bomber jacket, dark denim, leather boots.

The city shifts. The air is electric. What began as an after-work drink might become a rooftop conversation that stretches until midnight. You dress accordingly—elevated, but ready for the unexpected. Here, the Day-Date moves from refined to rakish. Under low light, the gold deepens, taking on a molten quality. The black dial, with its moody tritium patina, pairs with the turtleneck like aged whisky with a leather chair. It doesn’t need to shine. It simmers.

Style Tip: Gold against black is a classic nocturne—embrace it. Roll the sleeves. Let the bracelet catch the light as you raise your glass.

In the End, It’s Personal.
Wearing a watch like the 18238 isn't about showcasing wealth. It’s about showcasing self-knowledge. You know what fits. You know what speaks. You choose something that grows more beautiful with time, just as you do. The Rolex Day-Date is the final touch—not because it completes the outfit, but because it completes the story.

And in the quiet gleam of that golden dial, time doesn’t just pass. It speaks.

There are watches that tell time, and there are watches that tell stories. This 1995 Rolex Day-Date, Ref. 18238, belongs decidedly to the latter. A piece that balances iconic design with the graceful wear of time, it stands as a tribute to the enduring allure of yellow gold and the character that only age can bestow.

Crafted from solid 18k yellow gold, the 36mm case retains its original lines and geometry—an increasingly rare detail that suggests it remains unpolished. The hallmarks are crisp, the lugs strong, and the bezel still exhibits its sharp fluting, catching light with an understated brilliance. There's an honesty to this case that speaks volumes—it hasn't been overly pampered, yet it exudes quiet confidence, like a well-tailored jacket worn just enough to feel like a second skin.

What truly elevates this Day-Date is its black dial, now softly transformed with the subtlest hint of tropical warmth. No longer a deep onyx, it carries a faint tobacco undertone, most prominent under natural light—an organic aging process that collectors revere. The original tritium lume, applied to both the hands and hour plots, has aged gracefully to a warm cream, adding a sense of depth and nostalgia. This isn’t just patina; it's personality.

Beneath the dial beats the heart of Rolex’s Caliber 3155, known for its double quickset functionality and rock-solid reliability. As expected from this era, the movement remains hidden behind a solid gold caseback, ensuring the Day-Date maintains its understated, almost mysterious charm.

The watch is paired with its original Ref. 8385 President bracelet, also in 18k yellow gold, complete with a hidden Crownclasp. The bracelet has developed a gentle stretch—more supple than slack—a tactile reminder that this is a watch made to be worn, not locked away. It drapes elegantly across the wrist, adding to the Day-Date’s signature combination of comfort and authority.

Accompanied by its original box, this W-serial 18238 encapsulates what makes the Day-Date more than just Rolex’s most opulent creation—it’s a statement of time, taste, and temperament. For those who appreciate watches not just for their precision but for their presence, this example offers something truly compelling: not a museum piece, but a living artifact with stories still to tell.

In terms of performance, the Day-Date excels; it was tested for accuracy, demonstrating a seconds per day (s/d) deviation of 2, with an amplitude of 283—illustrative of its superb mechanical precision. This watch not only embodies the spirit of exploration but also stands as a paragon of Rolex’s commitment to reliability and aesthetic finesse. Whether on a mountainous trek or simply a day at the office, the Rolex Day-Date is a watch that conveys understated confidence and a refined taste for the extraordinary.

The price includes Swiss VAT of 8.1%, which can be directly deducted for export, and the shipping cost comes with full worldwide insurance. Please note that the customer will be responsible for paying any customs duties in their country.

If you desire a complete service, we can provide it at an additional cost, with a warranty of at least one year for precision and accuracy (not for waterproofness).