Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18000 “President” Service & Repair
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18000 “President” Service & Repair
Calibre 3055 Movement Overhaul
This Rolex Day-Date reference 18000, often referred to as the “President,” was received for complete service and mechanical restoration. Powered by the Rolex Calibre 3055, this solid gold Day-Date showed signs of long-term wear and aging lubricants, affecting amplitude and calendar performance. The objective of this service was to restore proper mechanical function, ensure reliable day and date operation, and preserve the watch’s originality.
Condition on Arrival
This Rolex 18000 arrived running but with reduced amplitude and sluggish calendar engagement—common signs of deteriorated lubricants and long service intervals. The automatic winding system showed accumulation of debris and dried oils.
Cosmetically, the solid gold case and bracelet exhibited normal wear consistent with regular use. Given the softness of gold cases, only conservative cleaning was performed to preserve original geometry.
Service Procedure
The watch underwent a complete overhaul including:
- Full disassembly of the Calibre 3055
- Inspection of pivots, jewels, and escapement components
- Ultrasonic cleaning of all movement parts
- Servicing of the automatic winding system
- Cleaning and adjustment of the day and date mechanism
- Proper lubrication with modern high-grade synthetic oils
- Regulation in multiple positions for stable timekeeping
- Case disassembly, cleaning, and gasket replacement
After servicing, the watch demonstrated strong amplitude, crisp date advancement, smooth winding, and accurate timekeeping performance appropriate for the model.
Brief History of the Rolex Day-Date 18000
The Rolex Day-Date was first introduced in 1956 as the first wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week spelled out in full. The Reference 18000, introduced in 1977, marked an important transitional update in the Day-Date lineage.
This reference replaced earlier models and introduced:
- A sapphire crystal (replacing acrylic)
- A flatter dial profile
- The upgraded Calibre 3055 high-beat movement
The Day-Date earned the nickname “President” due to its association with world leaders. The 18000 series maintained the classic 36mm Oyster case while modernizing the internal mechanics for improved accuracy and durability.
The Movement: Calibre 3055
The Rolex Calibre 3055 operates at 28,800 beats per hour and represented a technical advancement over earlier Day-Date movements. It features:
- Quick-set date mechanism
- Automatic winding system
- Free-sprung balance for stable regulation
While the day disc remained non-quickset on this reference, the 3055 improved overall reliability and performance compared to its predecessors.
Preservation-Focused Approach
With vintage and transitional Rolex models such as the 18000, my focus remains on restoring mechanical integrity without unnecessary replacement of original parts. Maintaining original dials, hands, and case proportions is critical to both historical authenticity and long-term value.
Conclusion
The Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18000 represents an important evolution in the President line, combining classic proportions with updated mechanical performance. With proper servicing, these watches continue to provide dependable function while retaining their character and significance.
If you own a Rolex Day-Date, Submariner, GMT-Master, or other vintage Rolex requiring professional service, I invite you to contact me or visit getting started to discuss your watch. Each piece is evaluated individually with an emphasis on preservation, accuracy, and long-term reliability.
For additional information on watches we work on please visit these pages: Vintage Rolex repair— Vintage Breitling repair —Vintage Omega repair — Vintage Heuer repair —Bulova Repair, and Pocket Watch Repair. See my FAQ for additional information, and visit Watch Repair Case Studies.
