ROLEX, GOLD & DIAMOND-SET RED STELLA DIAL DAY-DATE WRISTWATCH, REF. 18078

Highly attractive and rare, the present timepiece is preserved in excellent, nearly unworn overall condition. Its overall appeal is enhanced by the bark-finished decoration to the bezel and President bracelet and, most importantly, by the red lacquered “Stella” dial set with round-cut diamond hour markers and baguette-cut diamonds to 6 and 9 o’clock.

Made in the late 1970s and early 1980s in very small numbers, the colours of lacquer for these dials were mixed by hand and then applied layer after layer until a deep rich gloss coating had built up. Distinguished by an appearance of enamel and referred to by collectors as Stella, timepieces fitted with such dial and preserved in very well overall condition such as the present example are today much sought after by collectors

Introduced in 1977, reference 18000 showcased innovations within the Day-Date line. The reference embodied the division between models crafted with the Plexiglas crystal and the highly resistant sapphire crystal. The model was now assembled with an improved screw down crown and case back, enhancing the waterproof abilities of the model to 100 meters. Caliber 1556 used on previous models gave way to caliber 3055 with quick-set date