Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1972 Reference No: 1803 Movement No: DD'251'262 Case No: 3'098'241 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Since its inception in 1956, the Day-Date has been associated with glamour and luxury. It has adorned the wrists of presidents and dignitaries, been worn in board rooms and galas around the world, always faithfully serving the men and women who chose to wear it. The Day-Date is still in production today.
Cased in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold or platinum, the Day-Date is one of Rolex's most diverse models.
The present model in yellow gold features a beautiful chocolate brown dial providing for a very elegant and contemporary combination. It is in overall very appealing condition with crisp angles and well preserved polished and brushed surface finish.
A versatile watch with panache and chic, the present Day-Date could make for an excellent daily wearer.
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.