




1019
Rolex
Ref. 1803
Day-Date
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 240,000€14,000 - 28,100$15,400 - 30,800
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1971
- Reference No
- 1803
- Movement No
- DD’848’243
- Case No
- 2’687’119
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, end links stamped “53”, max length 180mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped “2, 71"
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex certificate, instruction manual, product literature, hang tags, cloth, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The present Day-Date ref. 1803 from circa 1971 is an exceptionally attractive example with a degradé tobacco “Stella” dial. Brilliant, lacquered “Stella” dials were produced for over a decade in a range of powerful colors, including oxblood, turquoise, orange, black, and tobacco. Some of these colors were especially rare and extremely sought after, including the present ref. 1803 with its rarely seen degradé tobacco dial. The extraordinary color perfectly complements the yellow gold case providing for a mesmerizing result. The present dial is extremely well-preserved and original with a radiant hue enhanced by the warm cream hue of the luminous hour markers. Featuring a pie-pan dial and diamond-set indices, this Day-Date has all the desirable features of a vintage Rolex.
While “Stella” dials are no longer available in modern Rolex Day-Dates today, this rare vintage reference with full set of accessories is an exciting opportunity to own a stunning example of one of the most diverse and prestigious models produced by any brand.
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.