Rolex - 1980 Rolex 18078 Day-Date Bark President Wood Dial Unpolished Safequeen
For sale is an unpolished mint condition “Safequeen” 36mm 18-karat yellow gold Rolex Day-Date Bark “President”. The 5,987,XXX serial 18078 was originally retailed on layaway by a U.S. retailer in August 1980 and was subsequently picked up in October 1981. The Day-Date is accompanied by an extensive box and papers set including: inner and outer Rolex boxes, the original purchase and layaway receipts from the authorized retailer, an appraisal from the initial time of sale, instruction manuals, a Rolex polishing cloth and handkerchief, a red COSC hang tag, and a black stick dial.
The Rolex features a brushed yellow gold case with a bark-finish bezel and is mounted on its original 8723 bark-finish President bracelet, which contains a 1979 clasp code. The President bracelet has 21 full-size links (including six screw links) and will comfortably fit a 7.25-inch wrist. The Day-Date features a factory Walnut 'Burlwood' dial with applied gold index hour markers and polished gold tritium-coated hands. The tritium lume on the hands has developed an even, golden custard-colored patina with age. The movement used in the 18078 is the Rolex single quickset Caliber 3055.
Condition:
The unpolished case is in truly immaculate condition, with razor-sharp factory brush lines and little to no signs of previous wear or handling, and bears an engraving with the original owner’s initials on the caseback. The President bracelet is free of any noticeable stretch, with razor-sharp factory brush lines and crisp bark accents, while the coronet on the clasp remains immaculate with zero wear. The Rolex’s unpolished yellow gold components have aged beautifully, acquiring a stunning copper rosegold colored oxidation from spending the majority of its life in a safe. The factory burlwood dial is free of any scratches or nicks, with the only sign of its age being some light oxidation on the applied yellow gold coronet and hands.
Overall, the Day-Date remains in mint condition and is the true personification of an unpolished “safequeen” watch, with its factory wood dial being truly fitting for such an exceptional example of an early 18078 Day-Date.
- All serial numbers are fully visible but have been covered in the listing photos
- Feel free to reach out with any questions
RESERVED
