A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat yellow gold with factory diamond enamel dial. This is an exceptionally rare and gorgeous looking unique example of the always advertised "flagship" Rolex watch in the line. Even when this watch was made, at the turn of the 1980's, the President was THE Rolex to own, and special examples like this were truly the most exclusive and desirable models in the entire Rolex collection.

The watch was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956 and has been included in the Rolex new line up for the 2025 range at this year's "Watches & Wonders" in Geneva. A testament to the original design, and the overall affection people have for this iconic reference.

Arguably, the Rolex Day Date is the ultimate status symbol. It was always portrayed to the public this way by the media team at Rolex, and it was always promoted to world leaders, titans of industry and the sports and movie stars around the globe. Although much has changed with regard to Rolex's offering, and the special variations that are on offer, it was always the "President" that led the way in rare, unusual and gem set variants. This is very much true in this case with this eye catching dial.

In 1959 the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement; the 1555 calibre. The 1803 model with this calibre only ran until 1965 until. It was again updated with the 1556 calibre. The 1803's were replaced by the 18030, five digit references. Compared to the predecessor with the caliber 1500 movement, the new caliber 3035 was a big improvement. The balance speed was increased from 19,800 to 28,800 A/h and it gained a "quick set" date feature, though it only advances the date wheel, as opposed to the "double quick" watches that were introduced around 1988 moving the day of the week as well. The hacking balance wheel features a free-sprung Breguet overcoil hairspring and Microstella regulation. It is a 28,800 A/h 12.5 ligne movement with bi-directional automatic winding and chronometer certification. The movement is a twenty seven jewels movement with a power reserve of 48 hours, when it was new. Being now over forty years old, this has slightly diminished.

This example overall is in superb original condition. The case is possibly only very lightly polished, if at all, over the years.  There are only signs of light wear, with sharp case lines throughout, along strong and thick case feet. When looking at the back of the watch, this shows no polishing with all the Rolex stamps for 18K and Swiss poinçon control marks crisp, deep and visible. The original Rolex President bracelet is fully signed on the deployant with all the correct marks and the eighteen carat gold marks, along with correct model numbers on the inside of the end links. The bracelet is tight with little sag.

The crowning feature to this 18348 is this spectacular diamond set enamel dial. These specialty dials were mainly reserved for the Day Date models during this time. Rolex would fit a host of exotic dials to these watches ranging from a variety of factory set gem dials, stone, wood and Stella dials. The dial is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage. It features a host of princess cut diamonds set into collet settings for the hour markers. The way these hour markers have been set have been given the moniker; pinball dials as the markers take on the appearance of a pinball from the popular arcade gaming machines. This dial is printed "T Swiss T" at its base, but obviously this dial features no Tritium luminous material. However, the printing stamps were not uniquely created for these dials at this time. The all gold baton hands do feature Tritium luminous material inside them. The printing of the text is in black and really pops form this wonderful enamel dial. 

Another crowning feature to this stunning looking dial is its background. This is not a painted dial, or a metallic dial. This is an enamel dial, very much in the vein of the earlier so called Stellar dials. Originally it is likely that this dial started off as a cream colour. A number of these cream dials come to market from time to time. What is special about them is that each one begins to take on a life of its own now nearly forty years on from production. They vary in colour from close to its original vanilla creamy hue to more pale, or even darker coffee colour. Very few transition into this stunning salmon pink colour. It is very sublte and so appealing to the eye!

This is an exceptional watch, and truly rare today, especially in condition such as this. Even the original factory, solid eighteen carat gold, spring bars are present. Which although a minor detail, confirms this watches originality and its maintenance. Given the look of the new model, this now 'vintage' example has much more charm and a beautiful feel to it, and the production numbers of these special pieces were also very low indeed.  Searching has only not found another example on the market for sale such as this.

The watch does not come with the original box or paperwork, and its service history is unknown. It is being sold keeping excellent time with a Foundwell one year warranty.