Rolex Day-Date 'Walnut'

Few watches make a statement like a solid gold Rolex. This anachronistic blend of technical design and functionality with a precious metal casing material is a polarizing one, and depending on how its worn (and indeed, by whom), can send very different signals - and we'll just leave it at that.  So-called “five digit” Day-Dates (reference variants with five digits) are a quintessential staple of the Neo-Vintage era. These models showed up in the late 70s and offer the added functionality of a higher-beat movement for accuracy and a quick-set date mechanism. They retain the classic 36mm case proportion of their predecessors and have similar variation for dial, bezel, and bracelet configurations. Luminous models also retain Tritium material, offering tremendous opportunities for unique characteristics of patina. This particular example, a Reference 18078, dates to circa 1977 and features an 18k yellow gold case, an 18k yellow gold 'bark' finished bezel, a matching 18k yellow gold President bracelet with 'bark' finishing and a signed hidden deployant clasp, and last but certainly not least, a factory walnut dial with applied indices and matching handset. How about that! The resulting look is nothing short of fascinating. The pairing of these wildly disparate earth materials is shockingly good, making it a perfect example of Rolex's ability to flex their more artistic capabilities! When only a gold Rolex will do, this Day-Date is it, just with a bit of added flair!