1991 Rolex Day-Date 18K WG "Bark" (Ref. 18249) Slate Diamond "Pleiades" Dial W/ Recent RSC Card

The Rolex Day-Date is one of the most iconic and beautiful watches in the Rolex catalog. The Rolex Day-Date earned the nickname "President" after it was rumored that President Dwight Eisenhower wore one, but Eisenhower actually wore a Rolex 18K yellow gold Oyster-Perpetual Datejust, which Rolex gifted to him in 1953. However, the nickname "President" is quite fitting for the Day-Date, as Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Reagan, Nixon, and Roosevelt all wore the Rolex Day-Date. Apart from its executive affiliation, the Day-Date is a symbol of status and luxury, only produced in highly refined precious metals, including 18K yellow, white, and rose gold, and also platinum, featuring both the day and date complications within the movement. 

Rolex introduced the cal. 3155 in 1988, this movement featured an updated double-quickset complication, allowing the user to set both the day and date complications quickly. While in position two of the crown, rotating the crown clockwise will promptly change the date, while counterclockwise will quickly change the day.

Sometimes, rarity is the result of a combination of details rather than any single defining feature, as is the case with this Day-Date ref. 18249. The reference alone, rendered in 18K white gold with Rolex’s distinctive textured “bark” finish, is uncommon. Paired with the rarely seen slate “Pleiades” diamond dial and Chinese-language day and date discs, however, it becomes an example that is not simply scarce, but potentially unique unto itself. Not to mention, exceptionally gorgeous.