A Most Unusual Rolex
DAY-DATE
Platinum Baguette Lapis Lazuli
1990 Reference 18366
Sold for $162,000
It never ceases to amaze me how many unusual Rolex watches have been made over the past 120 years, and this beauty takes my breath away. It was just auctioned by Joopiter on July 29, for $162,000, which is not surprising.
An ultimate spec Day-Date, the reference 18366 is incredibly rare in any configuration, impossibly so when fitted with a lapis lazuli stone dial.
The true archetype for a luxury sports watch, the model was born in 1956, ever since ingrained itself within the fabric of modern culture. Nicknamed the “Presidential” or simply “Presi” — a misnomer, in fact, as the Day-Date’s standard bracelet bears the official name President, though the watch itself does not — Day-Dates have graced the wrists of figures like Martin Luther King, Gerald Ford, Jack Nicklaus, and even Tony Soprano.
Note from Jake: I have NEVER heard of the nickname "Presi", and I am 1000% certain Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., did NOT wear a Rolex DAY-DATE model, as he wore a yellow gold Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet.
None of those men had a Day-Date quite like this. The ref. 18366 is believed to have begun production in 1989, upon the release of the Rolex caliber 3155 — a “double quickset” movement with day and date adjustment via the crown. This style of baguette diamond setting on the bezel was introduced in the mid-1980s with the yellow gold ref. 18168, but this watch is one of the first crafted in platinum. 24 baguette-cut diamonds, two for each hour segment, are set lengthwise in the bezel. Thicker platinum bars denote each hour, especially useful with this dial.
Lapis lazuli dials are among the most sought-after hard-stone variations from The Crown. Beyond the incredibly rare lacquered “Stella” dials, these stone dials add a pop of color to the Day-Date, a usually austere model. Lapis lazuli features a deep blue look with unique flecks of metallic sparkle throughout — no two are the same, due to the organic nature of the stone. Due to the inherent fragility and high manufacturing cost of hard-stone dials, these are highly collectible in today’s market and likely to increase in rarity in the years to come. The dial of this ref. 18366 is notably free of cracks throughout and preserved in outstanding condition.
Conclusion
This is one seriously cool looking Rolex watch, and if you look closely at the box and papers that came with the watch, you will notice the ROLEX DAY-DATE instruction manual features a photo of then Rolex CEO, André-Jean Heiniger's Rolls Royce, which was also super cool...
