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Property of a Japanese Collector

1003

Rolex

Ref. 1803

Day-Date “Stella”

A highly rare and extremely attractive yellow gold wristwatch with bracelet, center seconds, day, date, degradé tobacco “Stella” dial and diamond-set indexes

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000
€13,300 - 22,200
$15,400 - 25,600
HK$406,400
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1976
Reference No
1803
Movement No
DD’974’907
Case No
4’147’679
Model Name
Day-Date “Stella”
Material
18K yellow gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “53”, max length 200mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped “4, 71"
Dimensions
36mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Ever glamorous, the Day-Date captivates with its myriad of dial, bracelet, bezel and gold-finished designs. Since its inception in 1956, it has remained one of the most surprising and diverse flagship models Rolex has ever produced. Aside from prototype models, the Day-Date has only been cased in precious metals, underscoring its glamour and prestige.

The present Day-Date ref. 1803, dating from circa 1976, is an exceptionally attractive example featuring a degradé tobacco “Stella” dial. These brilliant lacquered “Stella” dials were produced for over a decade in a variety of striking colors, including oxblood, turquoise, orange, black and tobacco. Some of these hues are particularly rare and highly sought after, such as the present ref. 1803 with its rarely seen degradé tobacco dial. This extraordinary color beautifully complements the yellow gold case, resulting in a mesmerizing effect. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved and original, with a radiant hue enhanced by the early pie-pan design and diamond-set indices, making this Day-Date a quintessential vintage Rolex.

While “Stella” dials are no longer available in modern Rolex Day-Dates, this rare vintage reference offers an exciting opportunity to own a stunning example of one of the most diverse and prestigious models ever produced by Rolex.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
Founded 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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