Rolex President - 18038 vs 18238 Quick question

[Youval]

Hi all,

I just purchased a mint, box, accessories and paperwork 18038 with a champagne dial.
Literally zero flop on the bracelet.
Seller has yet to ship the watch and he just listed a very similar 18238 with the same dial and all accessories and paperwork as well.
Bracelet as well has zero flop.
I have an opportunity to just wire him an extra 2000$ and get the 18238.
I know the major real difference is the single vs double quickset function.
I can live with the single function so that’s not really a concern for me.
I’ve been reading various threads that say that the 18238 feels a little smaller than the 18038.
The case is thinner and that it looks smaller on the wrist.
Given that this is already a small watch the bigger the better for me.
Can anyone comment on the actual real world size differences between both.

Lastly, down the line, will the 18238 be worth at a minimum that 2000$ extra.
Better investment?

Thank you

[jgottsman11]

Both great watches. Depending on the year of the 18038 you may have gotten the fat case.

That being said I’m curious what you’d be paying for either?

[Youval]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

Both great watches. Depending on the year of the 18038 you may have gotten the fat case.

That being said I’m curious what you’d be paying for either?

So the 18038 is a May 1986 watch and the 18238 is an April 1990.

15k for the 18038 and 17k for the 18238.

[KY..]

Depending on service history, the 18038/3055 movement can potentially have a slow day change in comparison to the 18238/3155 movement.
An adjustment for a slow 18038 day change requires removing the dial, so it’s labor intensive.
I’d go with the 18238 on that alone for the extra 2k.
I feel wearability is pretty much the same between the two.

[Youval]

Originally Posted by KY..

Depending on service history, the 18038/3055 movement can potentially have a slow day change in comparison to the 18238/3155 movement.
An adjustment for a slow 18038 day change requires removing the dial, so it’s labor intensive.
I’d go with the 18238 on that alone for the extra 2k.
I feel wearability is pretty much the same between the two.

They were both just serviced.
The more I think about it though, at this point the extra 2k isn’t that much considering what I’ve spent already.
My only concern is size..
I wish I could have both side by side and try them both on.

[KY..]

Can you show us clear photos of each?
Maybe have the seller take photos of them side by side so you can compare them 1 on 1.
What are the date ranges based on the serial numbers?
Early 18038’s are a little different from later 18038’s.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by Youval

Hi all,

I just purchased a mint, box, accessories and paperwork 18038 with a champagne dial.
Literally zero flop on the bracelet.
Seller has yet to ship the watch and he just listed a very similar 18238 with the same dial and all accessories and paperwork as well.
Bracelet as well has zero flop.
I have an opportunity to just wire him an extra 2000$ and get the 18238.
I know the major real difference is the single vs double quickset function.
I can live with the single function so that’s not really a concern for me.
I’ve been reading various threads that say that the 18238 feels a little smaller than the 18038.
The case is thinner and that it looks smaller on the wrist.
Given that this is already a small watch the bigger the better for me.
Can anyone comment on the actual real world size differences between both.

Lastly, down the line, will the 18238 be worth at a minimum that 2000$ extra.
Better investment?

Thank you

Is this a poem , song or just not joining your sentences up.

[DarthSimon]

Double quickset well worth the money also better resale value if that means anything to you down the line.

[geoach]

18038 is thicker case and has less milled from the inside the inner case. Single set is no big deal mostly if it's worn. Above info was form a long time member who knows everything about DD. Get more gold with 18038

[sski]

18238 for me. 3155 is a veritable legend of a movement!
Double quickset ftw- convenience and utility = luxury.
i got a mint mid 90s 18238 last year; gone in now for its first Rolex service in 30 years! (should be back next month. ordered a dial swap too on it.)

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by Youval

My only concern is size.

If this is *literally* true, iirc there’s no size difference between a late (‘86) 18038 and a 18238. I have both models, and I can’t detect any size difference at all on the wrist.

Even if this is a 18038 with the (<1mm) extra height and/or a few grams more gold inside, it hardly matters, imo - The size difference is minuscule (and only in height), and the gold weight is a small fraction of the value.

Like KY, I’d also strongly suggest posting some pics of both of them here before choosing, as there are a whole LOT of subtle, little details which can make some difference - the condition of the lume plots, the lugs’ brushing, clarity of the hallmarks, etc. (Both dials have the same text? T SWISS MADE T?)

Broadly, I think 18238 may be the sweet spot - DQ is handy and adds some value, and the 3155 has been a rock-solid movement.

Good luck, and (anticipatory) congratulations!

[winst]

I’d go 18238 for the sake of $2k.

[Daytonaman799]

Go for the 18238. I had a 18038 ages ago and upgraded for the 18238. Ynedouble quick is a real thing imho.

[Sigmak]

Originally Posted by winst

I’d go 18238 for the sake of $2k.

+1

[Subfiend]

If this is your only watch, upgrade. If not, stay with what you have. I have a 1803 DD and I just deal with the non-quikset on the one time a month I wear it.

[illiguy]

I’d go 18238.

[GoldenSub]

18038 all day Classic!