Rolex Day Date Bark Finish

Why We Love It

So we all love icons. But in an expanding community of vintage enthusiasts, how do you maintain your individuality while also seeking to acquire some of the 'standard fare' iconic timepieces?

Enter the special finishes. 

From “honeycomb�?or “waffle�?dials to Florentine or Morellis pattern on the cases, Rolex has employed a variety of special finishes throughout the years. Found mostly on dress watches like the Datejust or the Day-Date, they bring an extra element of depth to each piece. Make no mistake, these 'something extra' pieces stand out in a field of solid gold Rolex dressers, so be prepared for some well-deserved attention.

Take this jaw-dropping Reference 18078 for example. It features an absolutely pristine solid 18K yellow gold Oyster case with a factory bark finished bezel and bracelet. The gold tone dial and hands are almost perfectly intact, making it a stunning time capsule from circa 1978. 

Hyperbole aside, our entire staff was taken aback the moment it landed at the Analog/Shift HQ - a unique Day Date in this condition is a special find.

A standout piece in this condition won't last long, be quick!

The Story

When you’ve got a good thing going, sometimes you just know. Such is the case with the Rolex Day-Date. At the time of the Day-Date’s release in 1956, it was Rolex’s only complicated wristwatch: all previous attempts had failed to resonate with consumers.

But as soon as Rolex secured the patent in July of 1955, production of the Day-Date was rushed for a debut at the Basel Fair the following spring.

Although early Day-Dates were plagued by technical problems resulting from the complexity of the automatic movement, those were soon resolved. After President Eisenhower sported one (a gift from the manufacture), its success was secured. The model would be tweaked and improved throughout the 1950s and on into the 60s, which ultimately leads to the later version of the model, the five-digit Reference 18XXX from the mid 1970s.

For a watch known as the “President,�?(due to the fact that several U.S. presidents have worn one), it certainly lives up to its dignified nickname. In warm yellow gold, it resonates with style. Elegant and sophisticated, it remains a classic worthy of its reputation.