187
Rolex
Ref. 1803
Day-Date "Chestnut"
A very fine and highly attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with center seconds and “chestnut” colored lacquered “Stella” dial
- Estimate
- CHF12,000 - 18,000€11,000 - 16,500$12,400 - 18,600
CHF18,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1971
- Reference No
- 1803
- Movement No
- DD'051'235
- Case No
- 2'916'332
- Model Name
- Day-Date "Chestnut"
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
- Dimensions
- 36mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Day-Date, also referred to as the “President” watch, has been a staple in the “crowned” firm’s line since its inception.
The iconic model was officially introduced to the public at Basel in 1956. Beginning in the early 1970s through the 1980s and 1990s, Rolex produced Day-Date models with brightly colored lacquered dials now known as “Stella” dials.
This reference 1803 encased in yellow gold is presented in superb condition. The rich, dark chocolate lacquered dial, playfully nicknamed the “chestnut”, is absolutely mesmerizing, as it captivates the wearer with gorgeous hues of brown and burgundy.
The present watch was manufactured in 1971, making it an early example of a Stella Day Date. Its well-preserved case combined with the watch’s rare, vibrant chestnut-colored dial makes it an excellent addition to a collection of Rolex watches.
The iconic model was officially introduced to the public at Basel in 1956. Beginning in the early 1970s through the 1980s and 1990s, Rolex produced Day-Date models with brightly colored lacquered dials now known as “Stella” dials.
This reference 1803 encased in yellow gold is presented in superb condition. The rich, dark chocolate lacquered dial, playfully nicknamed the “chestnut”, is absolutely mesmerizing, as it captivates the wearer with gorgeous hues of brown and burgundy.
The present watch was manufactured in 1971, making it an early example of a Stella Day Date. Its well-preserved case combined with the watch’s rare, vibrant chestnut-colored dial makes it an excellent addition to a collection of Rolex watches.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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