Rolex Day-Date 36 Ref. 18238 — Lapis Lazuli Dial, Full Set

Symbol of prestige since 1956, the Rolex Day-Date is the watch of presidents: the first to display the day of the week in full alongside the date. Reference 18238 introduced the Calibre 3155 with Double Quickset, uniting the classic architecture of the model with rapid, independent adjustment of day and date — a technical step that collectors regard as the beginning of the reference's modern usability.

This example pairs the 36 mm case and the President bracelet in 18 kt yellow gold with a rare and highly sought original dial in natural lapis lazuli, a factory hardstone execution. Cut from solid mineral, every lapis dial carries veins and blue nuances that no other example shares, which is precisely what makes the configuration a category of its own among Day-Date collectors. The contrast between the deep blue of the stone and the warmth of the yellow gold produces an aesthetic balance that is difficult to replicate in any other material.

The watch is preserved in excellent condition and is offered as a Full Set, complete with its period box and original guarantee — documentation that materially strengthens provenance and places the piece in museum-grade territory for the collector who prioritises rarity, originality and completeness at once.