New to me Day-Date

[Ferrari308]

So, I recently bought this 18238 Day Date to add to my collection. Here are some pictures of it. I have these pics which show the watch on three different straps. I don't have the President bracelet, so that makes this a strap watch for me as it stands.

The straps are a tan vintage style strap, a black suede strap, and a black croc strap (didn't show too well in the pic, so I took a different angle shot.

Which strap do you like on it?? Any other suggestions for a strap for this watch?? Would love to hear some opinions on it.

Adding this to my collection is absolutely perfect for me at this time. I think I have really fulfilled ALL of my Rolex watch wants. Except I am kind of fascinated by the Explorer 1, so that's not off the table at this point.

So, what do you think?


PDG

[wilsonpepper]

I hope you got a very good price, respectfully speaking, this is one rough 18238 !

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by wilsonpepper

I hope you got a very good price, respectfully speaking, this is one rough 18238 !

If its a keeper, then purchase price means less over the long run. Plus you won't have to baby this one.

[ltmgeller]

Croc strap looks great

[KY..]

Congratulations on getting a day-date; you likely should have posted this in the vintage section.
Easy strap selection as croc is the only way to go.
But honestly, unless you stole it, you probably could have found one not over polished and with original diamonds and not added diamonds.
However, I understand beauty is aways in the eye of the beholder.

[WatchTimes]

I think the DD looks best on its bracelet....

[rover26c]

Originally Posted by Ferrari308

So, I recently bought this 18238 Day Date to add to my collection. Here are some pictures of it. I have these pics which show the watch on three different straps. I don't have the President bracelet, so that makes this a strap watch for me as it stands.

The straps are a tan vintage style strap, a black suede strap, and a black croc strap (didn't show too well in the pic, so I took a different angle shot.

Which strap do you like on it?? Any other suggestions for a strap for this watch?? Would love to hear some opinions on it.

Adding this to my collection is absolutely perfect for me at this time. I think I have really fulfilled ALL of my Rolex watch wants. Except I am kind of fascinated by the Explorer 1, so that's not off the table at this point.

So, what do you think?


PDG

All of the above applies, you can add a beige strap as well similar to the black suede.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ferrari308]

Originally Posted by wilsonpepper

I hope you got a very good price, respectfully speaking, this is one rough 18238 !

Ok, so tell me what you see that makes it rather rough? I would seriously like to know what I have missed.

I got what I view as a pretty good deal on it. My intent is for it to be a keeper. Mechanically, it seems to run pretty well, but I am likely going to have to replace the crown tube.

I am grateful for your input.


PDG

[Ferrari308]

Originally Posted by KY..

Congratulations on getting a day-date; you likely should have posted this in the vintage section.
Easy strap selection as croc is the only way to go.
But honestly, unless you stole it, you probably could have found one not over polished and with original diamonds and not added diamonds.
However, I understand beauty is aways in the eye of the beholder.

How can you tell these diamonds are added? I did notice they were rather square set to the watch, but I found others that were set in the same way, so I felt pretty good about it. But please, this is a good chance for me to learn.

Thank you for your input.


PDG

[Cambo]

A Day Date without the presidential bracelet….meh

[KY..]

Originally Posted by Ferrari308

How can you tell these diamonds are added? I did notice they were rather square set to the watch, but I found others that were set in the same way, so I felt pretty good about it. But please, this is a good chance for me to learn.
Thank you for your input.
PDG

Pretty easy, see if you can find an authentic dial with hour markers identical to the ones you have in this link.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=820960
There are other indicators as well, but your dial has 100% aftermarket diamonds added.
And the dial has significant damage on the outer edge of the area between the 4 & 5 hr markers.
Do you mind sharing the price you paid so you can find out if the price made sense for what you got?
You may want to consider finding a better example if it’s possible to return it.

[Cambo]

Originally Posted by KY..

Pretty easy, see if you can find an authentic dial with hour markers identical to the ones you have in this link.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=820960
There are other indicators as well, but your dial has 100% aftermarket diamonds added.
And the dial has significant damage on the outer edge of the area between the 4 & 5 hr markers.
Do you mind sharing the price you paid so you can find out if the price made sense for what you got?
You may want to consider finding a better example if it’s possible to return it.

Nice observations

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Aftermarket dial on this one.

[Wilco68]

Out of the three straps you posted pictures of, only the black croc is vaguely a contender.

Should have a bracelet on it really….

[swiss_seth]

Nice DD! Don't fret on the dial. You can find replacements pretty easily.

If you send this for a service they can polish the lugs and bezel bag to more of a factory look.

Only issue is if they care there would be no president bracelet attached. I will let the others chime in on that. I just picked up a L serial DD YG Champagne stick dial. I love it. These are quite the statement piece!


edit - I think you should get a either a lightly used factor president bracelet or aftermarket if they are nice. Trust me on this one...

[huncho]

Originally Posted by swiss_seth

Nice DD! Don't fret on the dial. You can find replacements pretty easily.

If you send this for a service they can polish the lugs and bezel bag to more of a factory look.

Only issue is if they care there would be no president bracelet attached. I will let the others chime in on that. I just picked up a L serial DD YG Champagne stick dial. I love it. These are quite the statement piece!


edit - I think you should get a either a lightly used factor president bracelet or aftermarket if they are nice. Trust me on this one...

the bezel is already noticeably polished. more polishes aren't gonna restore it, they'll just make it worse. it's still decent and not the worst but i definitely wouldn't push my luck with any more polishes

i also doubt buying a president bracelet is ever worth it for these vintage models. it's usually better to just buy one with the bracelet and honestly with how prices have come down recently, a nice example should be around 15-17k and i don't think there's any better value in a rolex than that right now

[jgottsman11]

Oh lordy. Aftermarket dial, bezel is toast, lugs are very disproportionate. Might be better to return it, or if you can't, trade the watch head towards a better example