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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Automatic calendar wristwatch

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 in 18K Yellow Gold with Tiger's Eye Dial

Partially verified

This Rolex Day-Date reference 18038 is an 18K yellow gold automatic wristwatch dating to circa 1979, according to Freeman's | Hindman. It features an approximately 36 mm case with a fluted bezel and an 18K yellow gold President bracelet. The timepiece is fitted with a tiger's eye stone dial displaying natural horizontal chatoyant striations without hour markers, accompanied by yellow gold baton hands, a day aperture at 12 o'clock, and a magnified date window at 3 o'clock. The source reports serial number 6375116 and Swiss hallmarks on the case and clasp.

Front three-quarter view of Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 in 18K yellow gold with tiger's eye stone dial
Front three-quarter view of Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 in 18K yellow gold with tiger's eye stone dial — Freeman's | Hindman. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
hindmanauctions.com
Category
Wristwatch · Automatic calendar wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
18038
Catalogue / lot identifier
32
Source-reported date
Circa 1979
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
6375116

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Configuration

This timepiece is identified as a Rolex Day-Date, reference 18038. It features an 18K yellow gold case measuring approximately 36 mm, a fluted 18K yellow gold bezel, and is fitted with an 18K yellow gold President bracelet.

The auction source dates the watch to circa 1979 and lists the serial number as 6375116. Stamped markings reported on the case include '18K 750 (Swiss hallmark) REGISTERED DESIGN 18038 6375116', with the clasp bearing '18000 ROLEX ROLEXSA 750 (Swiss hallmarks) GENEVE SWISS MADE 18K'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Reference number: 18038”
  • “Serial number: 6375116”
  • “Year: Circa 1979”
  • “Stamps: Case: 18K 750 (Swiss hallmark) REGISTERED DESIGN 18038 6375116. Clasp: 18000 ROLEX ROLEXSA 750 (Swiss hallmarks) GENEVE SWISS MADE 18K.”

Dial and Visual Features

The dial is composed of tiger's eye, described as having a golden-brown hue with streaky, chatoyant bands. The design is presented without hour markers.

The watch features yellow-gold-tone baton hands, a day aperture at 12 o'clock, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock magnified by a cyclops lens on the crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: Tiger's eye”
  • “The stone dial has a golden-brown hue with streaky, chatoyant bands that shimmer in the light, which is known as the "cat's eye effect".”
  • “Functions: Day, date”

Condition and Limitations

The auction source notes light scratches to the metal consistent with age and use. The watch is reported to wind, set, and run as of the time of cataloguing, though it has not been timed for accuracy.

The auction house states they provide no warranty and that the authenticity of individual parts is not guaranteed due to potential past repairs or restoration. Additional items such as the inner and outer boxes and booklets are listed as included.

Evidence for this section
  • “Light scratches to metal consistent with age and use.”
  • “The watch winds, sets and runs at the time of cataloguing but has not been timed for accuracy.”
  • “The authenticity of individual parts is not guaranteed since repairs and restoration may have occurred.”
  • “Sold with: Rolex inner and outer box and booklets”

Open research questions

  • Verify if the serial number 6375116 aligns with the 1979 production date provided by the source.
  • Does the provided dial configuration conform to Rolex specifications for the 18038 reference?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 in 18K Yellow Gold with Tiger's Eye Dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRolex“Maker: Rolex”
Reference Number18038“Reference number: 18038”
Serial Number6375116“Serial number: 6375116”
Case Material18K yellow gold“Case material: 18K yellow gold”
Case SizeApprox. 36 mm“Case size: Approx. 36 mm”
Dial MaterialTiger's eye“Dial: Tiger's eye”
MovementAutomatic“Movement: Automatic”
Bracelet18K yellow gold President bracelet“Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold President bracelet”
Bracelet SizeApprox. 7 1/4 inches“Bracelet size: Approx. 7 1/4 inches”
Gross Weight86.35 dwt“Gross weight: 86.35 dwt.”

Visible details

  • Golden-brown tiger's eye stone dial with distinct horizontal chatoyant banding and no hour markers
  • Fluted 18K yellow gold bezel surrounding the round crystal
  • Arched aperture at 12 o'clock showing the day disc displaying 'WEDNESDAY'
  • Date aperture at 3 o'clock magnified by a cyclops lens on the crystal
  • Three-piece semicircular link 18K yellow gold President bracelet mounted to the case
  • Yellow-gold-tone baton hour and minute hands with a central seconds hand
  • Dial printed in gold text with the Rolex coronet, 'ROLEX / OYSTER PERPETUAL / DAY-DATE', 'SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER / OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED', and 'T SWISS T' at 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Case back interior, movement caliber, and hallmarks reported by the auction house are not visible in the provided single frontal photograph
  • Inner and outer presentation boxes and booklets listed in the auction catalog are not shown in this image

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ROLEX, REF. 18038 18K YELLOW GOLD 'DAY-DATE' 'SINGLE... | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 97bb886971

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.