Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date “President” Reference 19018 with Box and Papers (1988)

A compelling chapter in Rolex history, the Oysterquartz Day-Date represents the brand’s deliberate and engineered response to the quartz revolution of the 1970s. Produced from 1977 through 2001, the Oysterquartz line remained unmistakably Rolex in both design and build, combining their renowned craftsmanship with the precision of quartz movement.

This reference 19018 is among the most iconic executions of the series. Rendered entirely in 18K yellow gold, it takes a modernist redesign of the iconic President model.  The integrated President bracelet, designed specifically for the Oysterquartz, flows seamlessly from the case. The design reinforces the watch’s bold, modernist profile while retaining the unmistakable identity of the Day-Date lineage.

The champagne dial is classic and balanced, featuring applied gold baton markers, tritium hands, and the signature day and date apertures. The cyclops lens, magnifying the date at three o’clock, enhances legibility while adding a familiar visual hallmark. The dial is protected beneath the first-ever use of a sapphire crystal by Rolex, offering exceptional clarity while also resisting scratches and everyday wear.

At its core is Rolex’s in-house caliber 5055 quartz movement, a high-precision chronometer designed and finished to standards far beyond those of typical quartz watches of the era. The movement incorporates a thermo-compensated oscillator and jeweled gear train, underscoring Rolex’s commitment to craftsmanship even within a battery-powered platform.

While Oysterquartz production spanned two decades, it is estimated that fewer than 25,000 watches were produced across all models, averaging only 1,000 per year. In a world where Rolex now produces over a million watches annually, these watches occupy a unique and increasingly appreciated place in the brand’s history.

Complete with its original box and accompanying materials, this example is a strong, highly collectible representation of the Oysterquartz Day-Date.

Reference #19018

Serial #R19018820

Diameter: 36mm