Rolex 18 Karat Yellow Gold Day-Date Gold Patina

[tclassen]

Figured I’d make a post regarding Patina on Yellow Gold Day-Dates after comparing a Yellow Gold (118238) Day-Date with gold patina to a Yellow Gold (18238) Day-Date without gold patina.

From Top to Bottom:

A 2003 Rolex 118238 that has sat in a safe for nearly 18 years, compared to a 1989 Rolex 18238 that was actually worn (carefully) by its original owner. I find it quite interesting how the watch on the top aged, and think the Patina gives the watch a unique character. It’s hard to believe both watches are yellow gold when looking at the pictures, but never under estimate what nearly 18 years in a safe can do.

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about case / bracelet Patina though, and wether you’re in favor of it, or if it’s not your thing.

- I look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts.

[chieftd]

Wow, what a difference. Man that safe queen bracelet is tight!

Cool photos.

[Boaters]

Wow big difference I like both to be honest..

[ThatSubGuy]

Quick clean and you get the yellow gold colour back

[broham84]

I love the patina on yellow gold, that’s why it’s my PM choice outside of platinum

[YGRLX]

What do you clean with? I have the same issue with a safe queen

[JSolution]

I think it looks really good. Is this reversible out of interest?

[Mystro]

Rose gold (Everose) does the same thing. It actually gets more red.

[JodyHighroller]

I’m not a fan of the patina, but a simple polish will bring out the original YG color.

I’m more curious why the safe queen has significantly more patina than the watch that was worn. I’m not as savvy regarding the science behind it.

[fsprow]

18K gold is alloyed with other metals including copper. Over time copper at the surface changes to copper oxide which is brownish red. This can easily be removed with very hot water (not for the watch head!) or a light polish but I personally think it is quite attractive, does no harm, and would not remove it.

[Emiliomcol]

Wow that’s quite a difference, I guess (I am no expert) that the one in the safe since no use at all allow for the patina to build while the other one probably not that easy since I assume with regular use comes rubbing into clothing and washing with water from time to time not allowing to form the patina. Like another person mentioned that bracelet in the safe queen is brand new wow.


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[YTimepiece]

Correct on the other alloys @fsprow. The metal of the safe and contents in the safe interacts with the 18k alloys giving that patina. My 2003 118238 was in the same condition, stickers on from a safe queen purchase. I sent it to Rolex for a full service and a “light polish” and looks brand new. The patina is awesome though. All personal taste.

[Oxfordian]

I’m not overly worried about the patina, I’m more concerned about why a watch is left in a safe for 18 years, that is a real shame in my eyes.

[RJRJRJ]

That safe may need a dehumidifier.

[Gab27]

Most likely the safe did not have a good solution for humidity control. Some of the fire resistant materials used in safes also have a very high water content which can further elevate humidity and necessitate desiccants to be periodically replaced or recharged once they reach their capacity.