We will introduce five recommended Rolex models with 18K gold exteriors. Rolex has been producing high-quality, high-performance watches under the auspices of its own in-house foundry and other manufacturing facilities, and has demonstrated its talent in luxury solid gold watches.
Text by Miki Hisatake
[Article published on January 27, 2025]
The Appeal of Rolex 18K Gold Watches
Rolex owns its own foundry and produces a wide variety of 18K gold models. Crafted with exceptional craftsmanship, each model is of high quality and has passed rigorous inspections. Each one exudes an elegant brilliance, and wearing one makes you feel like you're standing tall just wearing it—perhaps because everyone knows the brand's unique aesthetic and superior quality are guaranteed. We've selected and introduced five of Rolex's most recommended 18K gold models. While "solid gold" generally refers to 24K gold, it's customary in the watch and jewelry industry to refer to 18K gold as solid gold, and this article follows that convention.
"Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date" Ref. 126618LB
From the Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, we have selected a model with a royal blue dial and unidirectional rotating bezel that blends beautifully with the brilliance of the 18K yellow gold. The bezel, engraved with 60-minute graduations, essential for a diver's watch, accurately measures dive time and decompression stops, and is an essential function of the Oyster Perpetual Submariner. Crafted from highly corrosion-resistant ceramic, the Cerachrom bezel insert is also highly scratch-resistant. Form and function, design and technology combine to create a model that is aesthetically pleasing, robust, and comfortable to wear.
Other features that contribute to its high functionality include a polished 18K gold Oysterlock bracelet with a safety catch that prevents the bracelet from opening accidentally in the ocean, the Rolex Glidelock extension system that allows for easy fine adjustment without the use of tools, and the engraved bezel edges that make it easy to operate even when wearing gloves or over a diving suit.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3235). 27 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. 18K yellow gold case (diameter 41mm). Water resistant to 300m.
"Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II" Ref. 126718GRNR
The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II Ref. 126718GRNR features a black dial that is highly visible even in the dark, a high-quality 18K yellow gold case, and a Jubilee bracelet. In addition to the hour, minute, and second hands, it also features a GMT hand that completes one revolution around the dial every 24 hours, and a bidirectional rotating bezel with a black and gray 24-hour scale, allowing it to display local time as well as a second or third time zone.
The simple and iconic hour markers and wide hands, typical of Rolex, are coated with Chromalight, a luminous paint, which glows blue even in the dark, ensuring visibility.
The supple and comfortable five-row Jubilee bracelet was specially designed for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 1945. The bracelet's length can be adjusted by the user by approximately 5 mm without tools thanks to the Easylink clasp.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3285). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. 18K yellow gold case (diameter 40mm). Water resistant to 100m.
Perpetual 1908, Reference 52509
The Perpetual 1908 is a collection of Rolex classics, featuring a 39mm diameter case made of 18K white gold, a simple yet distinctive black dial, and an alligator leather strap. 1908 represents the year the Rolex brand was founded.
It features an elegant, slim case with a small seconds dial and no calendar window, giving it a very classic style. Its iconic bezel, meanwhile, combines a smooth dome with fluting that diffuses light, making it a truly iconic design. This design is only possible thanks to Rolex's advanced cutting techniques. The Perpetual 1908 demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship in every process, from dial production to coloring and appliqué. It incorporates Rolex's cutting-edge technology, including a 50m water resistance and a silicon Syloxi hairspring with excellent magnetic resistance. Its high-performance Paraflex shock absorber makes it a watch that is easy to wear daily in today's world.
Automatic winding (Cal. 7140). 38 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 66 hours. 18KWG case (diameter 39.0 mm, thickness 9.50 mm). Water resistant to 50 m.
"Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller" Ref. 336935
The Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller features a blue-green dial and 18K pink gold that reflects the skin beautifully, emitting a lustrous glow like jewelry. It is equipped with a full range of functions for global travelers, including a rotating disc that displays local time as well as 24-hour home time, and an annual calendar called "Saros." The fluted bezel, a symbol of Rolex's exceptional craftsmanship, further enhances the lustrous 18K pink gold.
In addition, the Oyster bracelet has a concealed attachment system located at the bottom of the bezel, so there are no seams between it and the case, allowing you to enjoy an integrated design and providing a comfortable fit.
Automatic winding (Cal. 9002). 40 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K Everose gold case (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.8mm). Water resistant to 100m.
"Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40" Ref. 228235
Our final example is the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40, Reference 228235, crafted from Everose gold, an 18K pink gold alloy developed and patented by Rolex. This gorgeous material, combined with a slate ombré dial featuring faceted Roman numerals and index hour markers, creates a modern impression. Following in the footsteps of a design first introduced by Rolex in the 1980s and reintroduced in 2019, the dial features a gradation of light and dark. This smooth gradation, which fades from the center to the outer periphery, is the result of meticulous craftsmanship under the supervision of specialized technicians.
In addition, the highly aesthetic President bracelet exudes elegance that enhances the dignity of the vehicle it is worn on.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3255). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. 18K Everose gold case (40mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m.
