Since the emergence of the Day-Date in 1956, Rolex has continuously surprised the world with an assortment of unprecedented variations of the model. The inception of the colorful lacquered Stella dials in the 1970s was Rolex’s first adventurous take on a more playful and eccentric facet hidden behind the brand. The present Day-Date ref. 1803 is a wonderfully elegant example of the line, featuring an Oxblood lacquered dial encased in 18k yellow gold and topped with a fluted bezel.

Many collectors have speculated the origin of the name ‘Stella’ with associations to the Italian translation ‘star’ for its radiant hues or to the artist Frank Stella for the vivacity of his works. The name is actually derived from the former supplier of Rolex’s lacquer and varnishes which was named ‘Stella’. Ironically, these unconventional dials were unappreciated at the time and batches were allegedly destroyed, thus resulting in the scarcity of the handful that still remain. However, with the resurgent enthusiasm towards the colorful dials in recent years, the present reference is now highly coveted amongst seasoned and novice collectors. Due to the inherent fragility of the composition, it is rare to find a dial in such flawless condition as the present specimen, with no signs of chips or spidering on the lacquer. Moreover, the 36mm diameter size is sure to appeal to female collectors as well.