Rolex Day-Date II 218238BG Random Serial | 41mm 18K Yellow Gold | Diamond & Ruby Factory Dial | Oyster President | Exceptional Condition

A monumental expression of Rolex’s golden age of design — the Day-Date II in full 18K Yellow Gold with an impossibly rare factory diamond & ruby baguette dial, preserved with remarkable integrity. A piece built not merely to be worn, but to be remembered.

🔥 “Crown of the Golden Era”

There are watches that mark time, and there are watches that define it.
The Day-Date II belongs firmly to the latter. In the landscape of modern Rolex collecting, few references carry the same authority — the presence, the gravitas, the unmistakable silhouette that announces power before a single word is spoken.

Description

The Rolex Day-Date II 218238BG stands as one of the most commanding expressions of horological prestige ever produced by the Crown. Introduced as the evolution of the classic Day-Date, the 41mm architecture amplifies everything the President line represents: sharper geometry, heightened legibility, and an undeniable aura of status.

This particular example rises even further above its peers thanks to its factory gem-set dial, a breathtaking composition of diamond baguettes paired with vivid ruby markers. The contrast against the champagne sunburst base creates a dial that moves with the light — shifting from warm gold to crystalline brilliance with every turn of the wrist.

The case and bracelet, executed in solid 18K Yellow Gold, retain the structural depth and heft that made the Day-Date II immediately iconic. Its Oyster and President DNA remains unmistakable: muscular lugs, fluted bezel, and the perfectly weighted three-link bracelet engineered to hold its form for decades.

Powered by the Calibre 3156, this movement incorporates Rolex’s Paraflex shock system and offers robustness suited for daily wear despite the watch’s unmistakably regal presence. As a complete composition, this 218238BG represents the intersection of horology, jewellery craftsmanship, and cultural significance — a piece collected as much for its aesthetics as its symbolism.

This is an heirloom Day-Date II: statement-grade, investment-grade, and future-proof.

Highlights & Features

• 41mm 18K Yellow Gold case
• Factory champagne baguette dial with diamonds & rubies
• Fluted 18K Yellow Gold bezel
• Rolex Calibre 3156 automatic movement
• Day and Date display (English)
• President bracelet in solid 18KYG
• Random Serial — late-generation production
• Sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens
• 100m water resistance
• Exceptional presence and weight on the wrist
• Highly desirable A-rank condition from Japan

Item Details

Model: Day-Date II
Reference: 218238BG
Serial: Random
Case Size: 41mm
Lug-to-Lug: Approx. 49mm
Case Thickness: Approx. 12mm
Bracelet Size: Fits up to approx. 17.5cm
Material: 18K Yellow Gold
Dial: Champagne diamond & ruby baguette (factory)
Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold fluted
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Rolex Cal. 3156 (Automatic)
Functions: Day, Date, Seconds
Water Resistance: 100m
Inclusions: Rolex service booklet, original purchase documentation (Japan), presentation material (as shown)

Condition Report

Dial

Factory gem-set dial preserved beautifully; no visible degradation, stones bright and secure.

Case

Excellent surfaces with controlled, uniform micro-handling marks consistent with A-rank classification. No dents or distortions.

Bezel

Fluted bezel retains sharp definition and deep geometry; minimal softening from wear.

Bracelet

President bracelet strong and well-tensioned; minimal stretch for its age category.

Movement

Running within expected parameters at time of assessment. No mechanical issues observed.

Accessories

Japan-market inclusions present; all items match visuals shown.

Why Collectors Want This Piece

The Day-Date II is widely considered the most assertive modern iteration of the President line. The reference 218238 in particular carries heightened desirability due to its short production span, 41mm exclusive sizing, and unmistakable visual identity.

The presence of a factory diamond & ruby dial elevates this example into a significantly rarer category within the Day-Date II hierarchy. Such pieces were produced in extremely limited numbers and have become increasingly difficult to source in clean condition.

Collectors pursue this model because:
• It represents the final era of oversize President watches.
• It is a statement of success with permanent cultural value.
• Gem-set Day-Dates appreciate consistently year over year.
• Random serial examples mark the desirable late-production stage.

This is a trophy Day-Date II — the kind that anchors a collection.

Brand Heritage

Rolex’s Day-Date line has served as the emblem of authority, influence, and achievement since 1956. Worn by world leaders, creatives, and innovators alike, the Day-Date became known as the President due to its association with historical figures who shaped global discourse.

The Day-Date II (2008–2015) embodied a more contemporary expression of that legacy: bolder dimensions, reinforced movement architecture, and the unmistakable gravitas of its 41mm case.

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