Originally introduced in 1956, the Day-Date was the first wristwatch to display the day of the week and date in fully written words. This distinctive feature remains one of the most distinctive features of Day-Date watches to this day. This was a significant innovation in the watch industry and contributed to the enormous popularity of the Day-Date.
The Rolex Day-Date reference 18038, introduced in 1978, epitomizes the classic Day-Date design with its 36mm solid gold case and fluted bezel. Enhancements for this model include a water resistance of up to 100 meters and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The most notable upgrade is the single quick-set date function, allowing for easy date adjustment without moving the hands.