Passions Watch Exchange

About This Watch

Pre-owned. Comes with an orig. Rolex box+outer box but no papers.

This rare Bark-finished Rolex President in full 18KYG is a single owner's watch from new and only worn on a few important occasions throughout the last four decades. The watch presents good as new with sharp lugs and a tight bracelet while there's virtually no wear to the bark relief throughout the entire watch which is a testament of how careful the owner was. According to the production numbers, this watch dates to late 1978 and would be sold to the owner a short while later.

The Ref.18078 is one of the first Rolex to be fitted with the sapphire glass being the flagship model of the company when others were fitted with acrylic crystal well into late 1980s. It was also the first to feature a single quick-set date function with the then new movement Cal.3055 which was much improved over the Cal.1570, offering extra jewels, higher VPH from 21600 to 28800 (4Hz) and also a free-sprung balance. This model was descended from the Ref.1807 with the 7 signifying the unique Bark-finish on the bezel and bracelet.

This watch is fitted with special solid gold dial that has in-line diamonds pavé set onto the hour chapter ring & gold Arabic numeral appliqué with black enamel & matching black enamelled hands. This luxurious dial alone costs more than S$7000.

This is a cherished watch but unfortunately, the accessories were lost over time. However, the watch was sent to the Rolex Center in Malaysia for a full works costing RM2851.40 with an invoice dated July 2016 and is now under warranty by Rolex for Two years till July 2018, so the watch is freshly serviced and will not require attention for the next few years. The crown has been updated to the latest solid gold crown with double dots below the crown instead of a single dash of earlier years. Watch has been tested for water tightness and movement regulated so she is expected to perform like new with a 100m water resistance, a task very few Day-date can perform from this age. The only little flaw is the solid gold has oxidised with some dark spots due to non-usage and they can be easily removed by dipping in a liquid.

This Rolex will make a very good investment and a brilliant bargain as a present day President Day-Date with similar specs will easily set you back S$49,230.

A gem like this will not be easily repeated especially given it's condition so don't miss this.