Rolex diamond bezel authentication and history

[PeteWales]

As this thread has helped me enormously, I thought it appropriate to post a photo of my recently acquired 18388.

Many thanks to Crowncollection

[wardhanayvish]

Excuse me, since this thread is discussing Diamond Bezel and History, is it possible to had a vintage Gold Daydate with Diamond Bezel (46 diamonds), No pin hole case, No Tritium in the Dial (but T SWISS T written on it) and only single Hallmark (Helvetia, Woman with the G) stamped in the back? Is it original or non factory setting diamond bezel? Thank you.

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by wardhanayvish

Excuse me, since this thread is discussing Diamond Bezel and History, is it possible to had a vintage Gold Daydate with Diamond Bezel (46 diamonds), No pin hole case, No Tritium in the Dial (but T SWISS T written on it) and only single Hallmark (Helvetia, Woman with the G) stamped in the back? Is it original or non factory setting diamond bezel? Thank you.

Is it possible? Yes.
Read the first few posts in this thread closely. As I understand it, a factory 46-diamond bezel will be white gold, not yellow. Dials of this period (~1960-1977) were generally stamped T SWISS T regardless of whether or not there was tritium on the dial.

However, if you want an answer about a specific watch, I recommend you
a) start a new thread
b) in the Vintage Forum
c) with clear, sharp photos of the watch (and bracelet?) from several angles attached.

[foxytimes]

Thank you so much, David, for sharing your outstanding knowledge.

For those who are interested I'd like to add some DD bezel types with additional gems involved.

18378:

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6446765

A diamond bezel with little ruby baguettes at 3,6,9,12.

This (maybe also with sapphires or emeralds) seems to be the only authentic configuration for this type, e.g. I don't think pyramids on 3,6,9,12 is a genuine setting.

18178:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=740953

Alternating ruby-emerald-sapphire bezel as shown in the thread above.

18058 and 18059:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080221/114

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auct...locale=zh-Hant

Rainbow bezel.

18168:

https://davideparmegiani.ch/watch/rolex-18168-3/

https://davideparmegiani.ch/watch/rolex-18168/

Sapphire and ruby baguette bezel (like the diamond baguettes shown by David)

18148:

https://amsterdamvintagewatches.com/...mel-carrousel/

Alternating sapphire and diamond bezel. Rubies or emeralds in this configuration are unknown to me.

18388:

https://davideparmegiani.ch/watch/rolex-18388/

Carré ruby bezel. Idk if sapphire or emerald version exists.

Feel free to add bezel types I forgot or to add corrections.

[Aviela.W]

Originally Posted by PeteWales

As this thread has helped me enormously, I thought it appropriate to post a photo of my recently acquired 18388.

Many thanks to Crowncollection

Congratulations. Can we have a much clearer picture though, I'd like to look out for some of the markings as mentioned by Crowncollection.
Thanks and Congrats again!!!