Rolex · reference 18038
Sotheby's, May 2026
Hammer result
CHF 33,280
about $42,530 at today's rate
Beat the high estimate by 11%The lot
Auction house
Sotheby's
Sale
Fine Watches
Date
13 May 2026
Lot number
252
Reference
18038
Brand
Rolex
Year
1981
Ask against realised
Across 2,429 dealer listings of reference 18038. The ask is what a dealer wants today, not a sale.
What this reference has made at auction
261 confirmed sales, 2015 to 2026
Average realised price per year, 2015 to 2026. Low $13,144, high $41,994.
| Year | Sales | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | $34,675 | $9,525 to $81,058 |
| 2025 | 35 | $23,509 | $602.55 to $57,150 |
| 2024 | 39 | $28,631 | $607.42 to $107,100 |
| 2023 | 39 | $41,994 | $1,391 to $364,648 |
| 2022 | 29 | $29,063 | $10,710 to $140,596 |
| 2021 | 22 | $25,922 | $8,250 to $124,309 |
| 2020 | 14 | $25,932 | $8,235 to $88,706 |
| 2019 | 9 | $22,273 | $10,000 to $52,500 |
| 2018 | 18 | $21,258 | $9,317 to $44,647 |
| 2017 | 14 | $20,732 | $8,019 to $89,928 |
| 2016 | 10 | $13,144 | $325.00 to $24,344 |
| 2015 | 21 | $18,789 | $354.73 to $70,910 |
Confirmed sales only, converted to USD at today's rate so salerooms in different currencies can be compared. Unsold lots and withheld prices are excluded from the averages.
Other sales of this reference
8 shown, most recent first
| Watch | House | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolex Day-Date 18038 Onyx Dial 18k YG | Loupe This | Jul 2026 | USD 25,850 ($25,850) |
| Reference 18038 Day-Date | A yellow gold automatic wristwatc | Sotheby's | Jun 2026 | USD 16,640 ($16,640) |
| ROLEX, COVETED 18K GOLD ‘DAY-DATE’ WITH CHAMPAGNE DIAL, REF. | Christie's | Jun 2026 | USD 9,525 ($9,525) |
| ROLEX. AN ELEGANT AND ATTRATIVE 18K GOLD AND DIAMOND-SET AUT | Christie's | Jun 2026 | USD 30,480 ($30,480) |
| Rolex Ref 18038 Daydate | Antiquorum | May 2026 | HKD 362,500 ($46,257) |
| Rolex Ref. 18038 Day-Date, “Golden Walnut” | Phillips | May 2026 | HKD 381,000 ($48,618) |
| ROLEX. A RARE 18K GOLD, DIAMOND AND BLACK GEMSTONE-SET AUTOM | Christie's | May 2026 | HKD 635,000 ($81,058) |
| Rolex Day-Date 18038 Onyx Dial 18k YG | Loupe This | Mar 2026 | USD 36,300 ($36,300) |
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