A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat yellow gold with factory diamond dial dial. This is an exceptionally rare and glamorous 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 regards 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 18048 is this spectacular diamond set 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 the dial in a sunken effect. The hour markers are then picked out in larger claw settings. This dial is not a "T Swiss T" dial featuring no Tritium luminous material, the same is true for the all gold baton hands. The printing of the text is in black on specially cut out and engeaved areas into the dial.  Also what is worth noting that there is the absence of the ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ script to leave the stage to the dazzling gemstones.

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 uncovered one other black dial like this.