A brand whose products are as much a status symbol as they are a sign of good fashion and an eye for style, Rolex is one of the most famous watch manufacturers in the world. And with such a vast collection of pieces, which range from the functional to the innovative and cover every stepping stone in between, reviewing Rolex watches often means looking beyond its ability to tell the time and look good on your wrist.
In this review, we’re taking a closer look at the Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date watch and where it fits in the story behind the Rolex brand.
History of the Rolex Day-Date
Perhaps just as well known as the Rolex President watch, the Day-Date watch was first launched in 1956. For those who know the Rolex brand, you will know that every model and collection is built with a core function and identifying feature attributing to its core purpose – with the Day-Date being launched as the first of its kind to display the day and the date in full.
Today, the Rolex Day-Date is widely considered to be the staple piece in the Rolex catalogue – with its link bracelet and clean presentation all giving it highly coveted status among every day and investment buyers alike.
What model of Rolex Day-Date is this watch?
This review relates specifically to the 19018 model. Fans and followers of Rolex will recognise that this is a short model number, which instantly tells us that this watch is an older piece. And we’d be right in concluding that, with this watch being produced in 1981.
To look at it, the Rolex Day-Date 19018 boasts a very elegant and opulent gold finish. This, combined with the fact that the model itself was discontinued by Rolex back in 2001, gives this watch a very high status with regards to demand and the investment potential for buyers. Made from solid yellow gold, this Day-Date model was a flagship product at the time of its creation and remains one of the highest in-demand watches under the Rolex brand.
What makes this Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date so unique?
One of the things which makes this watch so unique and special is the fact that it was produced with the Oysterquartz movement. During the years of production that this model would have been made, there were only 25,000 watches made using Rolex Oysterquartz – with only a small percentage of these being Day-Date models.
Another component which elevates the status of this model of Day-Date is the use of the sapphire crystal, something which hadn’t been seen before on the luxury watch market. This, combined with the solid gold integrated bracelet and the angular case edging which are reminiscent of 1970s styling, enable this watch to stand apart from its counterparts and hold a position of authentic vintage as opposed to the modern styles of 21st-century designs.
How are other Day-Date models different?
To compare the 19018 model with other Day-Date watches, we need to consider both its presentation and the fact that it has been made with the Oysterquartz mechanism – complete with a three-link bracelet and a flat top that contrasts with the rounded edges of a modern watch.
The Oysterquartz Day-Date 19018 is 12.6mm thick which allows it to sit neatly on the wrist, while the gold detailing across both the watch face and the bracelet capture the light and make this a perfect dress watch or one for formal occasions. You will notice how the satin edges juxtapose with the polished gold details, creating texture and an aesthetically interesting finish – while the branding and small details are all finely integrated for an authentic but subtle presentation.
Finally, what makes this particular timepiece so special is the 5055 calibre which is concealed behind the solid gold backing of the watch face. This is a Rolex-made calibre which took years to produce and is built to last – with the 5055 calibre movement recognised as one of the best on the market, using a motor unit to operate the timekeeping of this watch. It ticks rather than glides around the face of the watch and offers high-level precision timing and accuracy.
How expensive is the Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date model?
When you buy an authentic Rolex, you don’t just take home the watch and the status that comes with it. This particular model comes with the original vintage box from 1981, its original certificate, and a selection of replacement links for the watch bracelet, among other accessories such as a Rolex wallet and branded handkerchief.
This model likely cost around £1500 at the time of production in 1981 – selling today for around £18,000 in its current high-quality condition. What this tells us is that a watch like this is only set to continue increasing in value, with the fact that this model was discontinued over 20 years ago combined with its incredibly high quality and material value all adding to its status as a highly coveted timepiece on the modern luxury goods market.
Celebrities that wear Rolex Day-Date watches
The Rolex Day-Date is arguably the most iconic of all Rolex watches in terms of its shape and style – with the following celebrities boasting it as part of their own collection:
- John F. Kennedy
- Jay-Z
- Eddie Murphy
- Brooke Shields
- Russell Crowe
How to get a Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date
To get your hands on this particular Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date, you need to go through the pre-loved market or through an auction, as Rolex no longer produces this model or style of watch. If you do buy from a preloved site or market, be sure to get the correct valuation information and authentication checks, with our team at Love Luxury offering these as standard to everyone who comes in.
Is it worth investing in a Rolex watch?
Looking at Rolex as an investment, you will see that the incredible demand for these watches means that there is always a waiting list for new releases and vintage models alike – with high demand and low supply driving resale prices skywards across virtually every model and individual piece.
Whether you want to find the right Rolex to suit your lifestyle and your look or invest in something that will appreciate in value with proper care and attention, Love Luxury might just be able to help. Visit us at our Knightsbridge boutique to find out more about our collection.
