Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1956 Reference No: 1802 inside caseback stamped 1802 and 1803 Movement No: DD6'894 Case No: 197'626 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1555, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
This very early reference 1802 features a smooth bezel - the defining feature of this model. It displays a "Swiss" signed dial, which is correct for the serial number. Interestingly, the inside case back is engraved with both 1802 and 1803, indicating that Rolex had allocated the case back specifically for this particular model. Reference 1802 is much rarer compared to its reed-bezeled sibling reference 1803, making the model particularly favored among collectors. This watch is preserved in very honest condition and still retains a very crisp hallmark beneath the lugs.
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.