18038/18238

[royerlich]

Hello all. If anyone followed, i recently ask for opinions about should i buy myself a daydate at 17 or not. Well after all the supportive comments i decided to go with it! Now my next dilema is should i get the 18038 or the 18238. What are the main differences between them that i should know about? (Keep in mind this will get alot of daily wrist time so the single quickset will not br a major issue). Thanks! (And if you can shed some light on when exactly rolex stopped making the links from pressing tubes and started drilling holes in more solid gold?)

[royerlich]

Really need some advice

[Daytonaman799]

I would go 18238. The double quickset will be younger, less wear and less stretch. Also it’s nice to have the double quickset.

[offrdmania]

An 18038 and 18238 all had hollow gold links. The solid links came much much later.

An 18038 and 18238 are essentially the same watch on the outside and use a the same mid-case parts. Dials between the two are interchangeable.

The difference is the movement. As said above, the 18038 is a single quick set complication and the 18238 is a double. An 18038 will be much more affordable though, by about 30%.

[royerlich]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

An 18038 and 18238 all had hollow gold links. The solid links came much much later.

An 18038 and 18238 are essentially the same watch on the outside and use a the same mid-case parts. Dials between the two are interchangeable.

The difference is the movement. As said above, the 18038 is a single quick set complication and the 18238 is a double. An 18038 will be much more affordable though, by about 30%.

Thanks

[gunhose]

18038 has a bigger case than 18238 and has less gold hollowed out in the inner case than the latter.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Daytonaman799

I would go 18238. The double quickset will be younger, less wear and less stretch. Also it’s nice to have the double quickset.

Agree with this!
My initial advice had you not asked about a particular reference would have been an explorer. 14270, or even 16570. Both very young, sporty, and understated.
I gifted my younger brother a blue Tudor 79090 when he head out for university. Also felt the same sentiment with that watch.

I say since you are eager on a day date, go with a 18238, it will be much more handy with the double quick set.
Personally I see nothing wrong with you wearing a Rolex at your age so long as you are comfortable with it and can enjoy it, I would however opt for a white gold 18239 if I were you. This of course is just personal preference, and either way works.
Good luck on your quest, and welcome to a world of madness!

[1William]

If all things are equal I would go with the newer watch with the better movement. Condition is the key as I have seen pristine watches that are very old and newer watches that have been abused. Balance cost with condition and with the seller. On an older watch I would also try to understand when the watch was last serviced as that could be another $800-1400 in service costs. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by theflywrist

...I would however opt for a white gold 18239 if I were you.

+1 on the WG option. Mine's an 1803 but similar. I have a couple of full-YG (1012 and 1013 on Jubilee and RO respectively) and they're far flashier than the WG, which usually takes a second glance to be sure it's gold and not SS.

WG isn't exactly subtle but it doesn't shout as loudly as YG IMO.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by gunhose

18038 has a bigger case than 18238 and has less gold hollowed out in the inner case than the latter.

That is true technically. I was just pointing out to the OP that they are nearly identical aesthetically.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

+1 on the WG option. Mine's an 1803 but similar. I have a couple of full-YG (1012 and 1013 on Jubilee and RO respectively) and they're far flashier than the WG, which usually takes a second glance to be sure it's gold and not SS.

WG isn't exactly subtle but it doesn't shout as loudly as YG IMO.

Absolutely!
My friends that are not into watches will never notice a white metal Rolex on my or anyone else's wrist. No one overlooks a yellow gold.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

An 18038 and 18238 all had hollow gold links. The solid links came much much later.

An 18038 and 18238 are essentially the same watch on the outside and use a the same mid-case parts. Dials between the two are interchangeable.

The difference is the movement. As said above, the 18038 is a single quick set complication and the 18238 is a double. An 18038 will be much more affordable though, by about 30%.

They are not the same mid case 18038 is thicker


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[offrdmania]

As posted below that I was speaking aesthetically