18038 ‘Diamond Oxblood Stella’

‘Up for grabs’ is this stunning 18038 Diamond Oxblood Stella from 1982, executed in 18k yellow gold and fitted with one of the rarest, boldest, and most captivating dials Rolex ever created – the ‘Stella’ dial. This particular one is executed in a very rich, Oxblood color and set with 10 factory diamond hour markers, and a Spanish day-disc – Ay Caramba!

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Rolex took a daring departure from its typically understated aesthetic. The brand began producing dials in vivid, high-gloss lacquer colors, hand-applied layer after layer, to create a flawless, almost glass-like finish. These dials were officially unnamed by Rolex, but collectors would later dub them “Stella” dials – likely a nod to the Italian word for star, and just as fittingly, as the bold colors were very much favored by buyers and collectors in the Middle East and Asia at the time. Due to the handmade nature, no Stella dial-color is exactly the same – this Oxblood red stands out because of its seductive and versatile tones – it is rich, deep, and can be called complex for a lack of a better word. The red for instance shows and almost burgundy glow that shifts subtly in the light to an almost Ferrari red. Even rarer still, is the combination of the Oxblood color with factory diamond indices (at time of posting only one other watch like it is available) making this piece a truly exceptional find.

This particular 18038 Diamond Oxblood Stella has been very well-preserved. The 18k yellow gold case remains sharp and defined, with thick lugs, a crisp fluted bezel, and tight lines that speak to a life of careful wear. The original President bracelet is tight, with minimal stretch, and shows a cool patina that isn’t really visible in the photo’s above, but can be seen with the naked eye (vintage gold is a fun, yet surprising compound) The case-back shows only light signs of age, with all the gold hallmarks clearly visible to the naked eye. This spectacular Day-Date was fully serviced and will be sold with our extensive two year warranty.

reference: 18038
case number: 733XXXX
year of production: 1982
case diameter: 36mm
movement: self-winding, Rolex caliber 3055
box and papers: no

Price: € 59.500,-